Putin says 'proud' of Russian troops in Ukraine

This year on February 24, Russia announced an invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow says is a "military operation". The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been described as the biggest attack on a European state since World War II. Amid the Ukraine war, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday  said that he was "proud" of the action of his soldiers in Ukraine. 

In a televised remark during a Kremlin meeting with military academy graduates, Putin said, "We are proud that during the special military operation our fighters act with courage, professionalism, like real heroes." 

In the aftermath of the war, Russia was slapped with multiple economic sanctions by Western countries, leaving Moscow in tatters. Although referring to Western sanctions, Putin said "they will be overcome". 

He further said that "in the face of new threats and risks, we will further develop and strengthen our armed forces. 

Putin also promised that the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile would be commissioned by the end of the year. "There is no doubt that we will be even stronger," Putin added. 

This year on April 20, Putin announced the test launch of its nuclear-capable Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). 

The Sarmat superheavy intercontinental ballistic missile is designed to elude anti-missile defence systems with a short initial boost phase, giving enemy surveillance systems a tiny window to track.