Russian President Vladimir Putin says almost all of the country's nuclear forces have been modernized as Moscow continues what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Putin released a video message on Friday to commemorate Russia's annual Defender of the Fatherland Day, which celebrates the armed forces.

He thanked Russian soldiers for their "faithful and selfless service to the Fatherland."

Putin said Russia has boosted production of conventional weapons, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and tanks, and that its nuclear capabilities have also been beefed up.

He said the proportion of modern weapons and equipment in the strategic nuclear forces has already reached 95 percent.

He added that four Tu-160M nuclear-capable bomber planes have been delivered to the military.

There is no end in sight to the Ukraine conflict on the eve of the second anniversary of the start of Russia's invasion on February 24.

Ukrainian forces say they shot down 23 of 31 Russian drones on Friday, but three people were killed in the southern region of Odesa.

Ukraine's troops have been struggling amid shortages of ammunitions and other weapons due largely to stalled military aid from the United States.