The Russian president will not hold a traditional press conference at the end of the year for the first time in at least a decade, while Russian troops continue to lose ground in Ukraine, writes Politiko.

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“As for the annual press conference, yes, it won’t take place until the New Year,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, adding that Putin “will continue to communicate with journalists, also during foreign visits.”.

The annual event has lasted for hours in the past, offering Putin the opportunity to demonstrate his control of power on live national television.. The event often had a festive atmosphere, with regional journalists holding banners to get their President's attention..

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However, the most unexpected questions were rare..

Putin, who turned 70 in November, is also at the center of intense speculation over his health - and was spotted swaying for the camera during a public speech earlier this week.. But aides, predictably, repeatedly denied that he was unwell..

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Russian troops continue to experience setbacks in Ukraine after nearly 10 months of invading the country. The British Ministry of Defense announced today that Ukraine has liberated about 54 percent of the territory captured by Russian troops since February 24.