Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has claimed that Russian forces are advancing along the entire front and has commented on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's video recorded by the entrance sign to Kupiansk,

Dec 19 (Reuters) - Sarcastic messages ‌briefly ​flashed up on ‌a big screen in the hall ​where Russian President Vladimir Putin was holding ‍his annual press conference ​and "direct line" phone-in on Friday. "Not ​a ⁠direct line, but a circus," said one such comment.

The annual event gives ordinary Russians a chance to question their leader, with queries expected on an end to the Ukraine war and boosting the economy.

The Russian central bank cut its key rate by 50 basis points to 16% on Friday, in line with analysts' expectations, as inflation slows down and the economy, focused on military action in Ukraine, struggles to grow.

A SINGLE Kremlin bigwig stood up to Russian president Vladimir Putin on the second day of the war with Ukraine. An extraordinary account has emerged of one of mad Vlad’s closest allies

Russian president vows to liberate ‘historic lands’ in hardline speech, showing no signs of compromise on invasion goals