Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized his country's military achievement in Ukraine, saying Russian forces hold ''the initiative'' in the conflict.

Putin delivered an annual state-of-the-nation address at a venue in central Moscow on Thursday to outline domestic and foreign policies to the nation.

He said that Russia's special military operation in Ukraine has been supported by an overwhelming number of Russian citizens since its start. The president expressed gratitude for such support. He stressed the legitimacy of the military operation and called for national unity.

Putin said that Russian forces have been advancing with confidence on many battle fronts, and "liberating a lot more territories".

The Kremlin leader said, in an apparent warning to the West, that Russia's strategic nuclear capabilities are at a state of full readiness for guaranteed use.

Putin also referred to the Avangard, a hypersonic glide vehicle that can travel at more than 20 times the speed of sound, saying that the weapon has been deployed on a combat mission. He added the Kinzhal missile, which Moscow says is another hypersonic arm, has proven its efficiency in attacking key targets in Ukraine.

The presidential speech was televised by the state-run TV network and shown at movie theaters in 20 cities across the country.