Putin: Russia to overcome challenges, continue military modernisation

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would continue to overcome challenges and move forward despite what he described as obstacles imposed by the West, highlighting advances by the country's armed forces and defence industry.

Speaking at an event, Putin said Russian troops were continuing to make progress and that the country was strengthening its economy, financial system and military capabilities, TASS reports.

According to the Russian president, these efforts have been supported in part by the People's Front, which he said had brought together more than 20 million people and raised nearly 70 billion roubles in voluntary donations from Russian citizens to support what Moscow calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Putin said he was confident Russia would ultimately achieve victory.

He also said the country was continuing to modernise its armed forces and record new achievements in its defence-industrial complex.

By Sabina Mammadli