President Vladimir Putin boasted that his military operation in Ukraine has strengthened Russia, as he held his annual news conference and call-in show Thursday. He used the tightly choreographed event, which lasted over four hours, to reinforce his authority and demonstrate a sweeping command of everything from consumer prices to military hardware.

AP dissects Putin’s performance at his annual news conference and call-in show

President Vladimir Putin boasted that his military operation in Ukraine has strengthened Russia, as he held his annual news conference and call-in show Thursday. He used the tightly choreographed event, which lasted over four hours, to reinforce his authority and demonstrate a sweeping command of everything from consumer prices to military hardware.