Vladimir Putin looks sympathetic as he meets grieving soldiers' mothers

Vladimir Putin has met some of the mothers of Russian soldiers who died fighting in Ukraine in what some see as a publicity stunt.

The Russian president sat up close and personal among the women at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence just outside Moscow, telling them he shared the pain of those who have lost sons and would do everything he could to provide families with help and support.

He also advised them not to trust everything they see on the internet.