Bible

[thrifty]

Of course many are Orthodox Christians.

I don't know anything about Putin except I heard once he made the sign of the cross in Orthodox, which I do believe they cross themselves opposite of the Catholics. fwiw

BUT Christians or not.

The Motive for the Battle
(By Grant Jeffery)

Ezekiel's prophecy indicates that Magog will attempt to destroy Israel and capture her land as a geographically strategic prize. This narrow strip of land has historically been fought over by any empire that wanted to dominate the world. Today, whoever controls this small strip of land along the Mediterranean controls the Middle East as well as the vital oil supplies that flow through it. Because of worldwide dependence on Middle East oil, this outcome of this strategic battle will affect the economies of all industrialized nations.

According to Ezekiel, Magog (Russia) will need help in acquiring the land of Israel and wil form a confederation of nations to attack the promised land (see 38:1-6). Historians and Biblical scholars have identified these nations as modern-day Iran, some of the Arab states adjacent to Iran, Germany, Turkey and central Asiatic peoples allied with Russia.