Russian President Vladimir Putin today praised his special forces for “heroically carrying out their military duties” in his Ukrainian invasion.
It comes as Russian troops have so far failed to capture the capital of Kyiv.
During a televised address, he said: "Special gratitude to those heroically carrying out their military duty these days in the course of the special operation to provide assistance to the people's republics of Donbas.
“The heroic traditions of special forces were laid down in the centuries-old history of our army.”
His words came as Russian marks the annual day of Special Operations Forces (SOF), a “professional holiday” since 2015.
Putin said Russian special forces “were hardened during the Great Patriotic War (Second World War) and continued, strengthened in Afghanistan, in many hot spots, during the liquidation of terrorist gangs in the North Caucasus and Syria”.
Putin spoke as his military appeared to be stepping up their battle to crush Ukrainian resistance, and following suspicions of significant Russian losses which have not been acknowledged by Moscow.
It comes as Putin is reportedly in his "lair in the Urals" and has brought Russian oligarchs with him so they couldn’t flee the country.
Meanwhile, a video aired by state-owned TV shows Russian forces appearing strong and powerful, facing no opposition.
It comes as images and reports broadcasted outside of Russia show fierce Ukrainian resistance to Putin's advances.
Images show Ukrainian civilians taking up arms to fight alongside Ukrainian forces, making Molotov cocktails and blocking roads.
