Vladimir Putin said that the military special operation is showing positive dynamics, and he hopes that the Russian military will continue to make progress after Soledar, according to Reuters.

“The dynamics are positive. Everything is being carried out within the framework of the plan of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff,” Putin told the state television “Russia 1”.

“And I hope that our fighters will please us even more with the results of their fight,” he added.

Russia said on Friday that its forces had taken control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Soledar, a major breakthrough for Moscow after months of battlefield defeats.

“The situation in the economy is stable. Much better than what was predicted not only by our opponents, but also what we predicted,” Putin said.

The President of Russia called unemployment a key indicator: “The level of unemployment is at a historic low. Inflation is lower than expected and, importantly, on a downward trend.”

The Russian economy shrank in 2022 under the weight of sanctions, but by much less than most economists had predicted.

The Russian government projects that the $2.14 trillion economy will shrink by 0.8% in 2023.

Russia’s 2023 budget is based on Urals oil prices around $70.1 a barrel, although Russia’s main export is currently trading below $50 a barrel.