On February 27, 2025, at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia performed the rite of consecration of crosses for servicemen of the Russian National Guard who participated in a special military operation.
The ceremony was attended by the Director of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the Russian Federation, Commander—in-Chief of the National Guard of the Russian Federation, Army General Viktor Vasilyevich Zolotov.
The service was also attended by the heads of the structural divisions of the central office of the department.
Greeting Army General Vladimir Zolotov and all those gathered, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said: "Thank you and your entire squad! You are doing a great important thing to ensure that our lives are peaceful, that the Fatherland becomes strong, that nothing happens in all areas where the enemy is trying to influence our lives, and that we win through joint efforts."
After the service, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the audience.:
"We have consecrated the signs of the cross, which Orthodox soldiers always wore, including during military operations. Because two conditions are necessary to achieve victory. On the one hand, this is the maximum effort of a person who is called upon to show everything he is capable of — the power of knowledge, willpower, strength of feelings, courage, patience, everything that is necessary to achieve military feats. On the other hand, it is necessary for the Lord to send down His mercy. After all, the history of our Fatherland remembers that the enemies who attacked us were sometimes no less courageous than we were. Sometimes they were more technically equipped than us, and they had more experience than us. It seemed to such an enemy that it would be just a walk from the borders to Moscow, but nothing happened. We won the most terrible war, the Great Patriotic War, and, of course, the revival of faith that took place in those years multiplied the strength of our army and the strength of our people.
God grant that even today, when professing faith and visiting churches are not accompanied by any difficulties, we all know how to combine our skills, courage, and strength with deep faith and hope in God — then the Lord will help us. God help you!"
In turn, the director of the Russian Guard said: "On behalf of all the leaders present here, I would like to thank you for the attention you pay to the Rosgvardiya, for this prayer rite that you performed for us. These crosses are a symbol of unity with the Lord, strengthening the strength of the spirit and faith to bring our victory closer." 
In conclusion, V.V. Zolotov wished His Holiness Patriarch Kirill bodily strength and God's help in his Primatial ministry.