By Vladimir Soldatkin and Guy Faulconbridge ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday dismissed claims the war in Ukraine is devastating the Russian economy, citing continued growth,

Russian President Vladimir Putin intensified his rhetoric about the war in Ukraine, saying all of Ukraine belongs to Russia. In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the statement is meant to "divert public attention away from the complete failure of [Putin's] quarter-century rule.

President Vladimir Putin claimed on June 20 that Russia's economy is strong despite war and sanctions, brushing off mounting warnings from his own officials about stagnation and looming recession. Speaking at the St.