The president of Russia addressed the country at a time when it is experiencing two years of a costly war.

President Vladimir Putin used his state of the nation address to hail Russian national unity, even as fighting in Ukraine is raging – just before an election he is almost certain to win.

Addressing an audience of lawmakers and senior officials in a speech broadcast live across the country, Putin said Russia was “defending its sovereignty and security and protecting our compatriots” in Ukraine, and insisted that the call “special military operation” had the support of the majority of Russian citizens.

Putin saluted Russian soldiers and honored those killed in combat with a minute of silence.

His comments come as new polls show Russian support for the war in Ukraine is crumbling. According to international estimates, the country has already lost more than 400,000 soldiers since it invaded the neighboring country in February 2022, and is on track to reach the half-million mark by the end of the year.

Putin also reiterated that any Western “threats” against Russia would have catastrophic consequences – a clear reference to Russia’s nuclear weapons capabilities.

“We also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory,” Putin said, “remembering what happened to those who sent their forces to our country. Now, the consequences for the interventionists will be much more tragic.”

Putin, 71 years old, is running as an independent candidate in the presidential elections from March 15 to 17, in which the possibility of strong opponents participating was prohibited. His government depends on tight control of the Russian political system.

Prominent critics who could challenge him have been arrested or are living abroad, while most independent media outlets have been banned, meaning Putin’s re-election is all but assured. Putin faces symbolic opposition from three other candidates nominated by Kremlin-friendly parties represented in parliament.

Russia’s best-known opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, whose bid to run against Putin in 2018 was rejected, died suddenly in an Arctic prison colony earlier this month while serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges. Navalny’s funeral is scheduled for Friday.

Putin has repeatedly stated that he sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022 to protect Russian interests and prevent Ukraine from posing a major threat to Russia’s security by joining NATO. Kiev and its allies denounced the deployment of troops as an unprovoked act of aggression.

The Russian leader has repeatedly expressed a desire to negotiate an end to the fighting, but warned that Russia will maintain its gains.