Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared his intention to boost his country's nuclear forces, just a day before the one-year anniversary of the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Putin made the remarks in a video released on Thursday to mark the Defender of the Fatherland public holiday.

The president hailed Russian forces in Ukraine, saying, "Our troops are heroically fighting the neo-Nazism that has taken root in Ukraine, protecting our people in our historical lands, and are fighting courageously and heroically."

Putin added, "A modern and efficient army and navy are a guarantee of the country's security and sovereignty."

He went on to say, "This year, the first Sarmat missile system launchers with the new heavy missile will be put on combat duty." He added, "We will continue full production of the Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic systems and begin mass deployment of Tsirkon sea-launched hypersonic missiles."

In a state of the nation address on Tuesday, Putin announced that the country would suspend its participation in the New START nuclear arms treaty with the United States.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy encouraged graduates of his country's military academies.

Zelenskyy said in a video released on Wednesday, "It is a special mission to receive military education right now."

He said he is happy to see that there are people who want to be officers with the Ukrainian forces and "to make the story of the Ukrainian victory in this war their own life story."

He went on to say, "I wished victory to the graduates of our military universities and I am confident this victory will come."