- You are fighting heroes just like during Russia's previous wars, Putin said to Russian soldiers and military leaders, according to Reuters.
He emphasized that Russia will pursue its military goals in Ukraine by expanding its military potential.
Putin spoke in particular about the importance of drones in warfare.
Among other things, he revealed that the new Sarmat robot, called "Satan -2" by NATO, should be ready for use in the near future.
Expert: "The worst they have"
According to Rein Pella, teacher of defense systems and artillery expert at the Norwegian Defense Academy, the Sarmat is a very expensive intercontinental ballistic robot with a particularly long range, "the worst Russia has".
- It's a nuclear weapon robot, not something you shoot out the power plant in Kyiv with, but it's something you threaten the United States with, he tells SVT Nyheter.
Pella doubts whether it is really finished and he doubts that Russia has more than five in that case.
Reinforces in western Russia
During the meeting, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also revealed that Russia will place new forces in the western parts of the country.
The whole thing must be a response to Sweden's and Finland's NATO applications.
However, no further details were mentioned.