Putin boasts about gains in Ukraine at annual news conference meant to reinforce his authority

Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin has boasted that his military operation in Ukraine has strengthened Russia and denied that the downfall of a key ally in Syria had dented Moscow’s prestige. The Russian leader sought to project strength and ease at his annual news conference and call-in show Thursday. As is typical, he used the tightly choreographed event to reinforce his authority and demonstrate a sweeping command of everything from consumer prices to military hardware. He claimed that nearly three years of fighting in Ukraine has hardened the Russian economy and the country’s military and hailed his troops’ gains there. Russian troops are making steady, if slow, advances in Ukraine. But the Kremlin has also suffered some embarrassing setbacks.