Russian military

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree, effective immediately, increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The order replaces all previous decrees on army size and marks the seventh expansion of Russia's forces since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, continuing a steady pattern of manpower increases.

Vladimir Putin has ordered an expansion of Russia's armed forces, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more North Korean troops are being deployed to fight alongside Russian forces in the war in Ukraine. The twin announcements point to Moscow deepening its military resources and foreign partnerships as fighting continues, and have drawn attention to Pyongyang's growing role in the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russia in its war against Ukraine. The claim points to a deepening of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, which has already sent thousands of troops to support Russian forces. The announcement comes as Kyiv urges Western allies to step up support in response.

Ukraine has carried out its largest attack to date on Moscow, according to CNN reporting. A military expert offered analysis of the strike, its scale, and what it signals about Ukraine's deep-strike capabilities as the war continues. The attack marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's campaign against targets in the Russian capital region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will make this a tough winter for Russia, warning that pressure on Moscow is mounting. The statement signals Kyiv intends to keep targeting Russian energy and military infrastructure through the cold months, aiming to strain Russia's economy and war effort while sustaining Western support for Ukraine.

A BBC News Global Story episode examines the true scale of Russian military deaths in the Ukraine war, a figure that has been heavily disputed throughout the conflict. Official Russian casualty counts remain low, while Western estimates and independent researchers suggest far higher losses. The report looks at how the toll is being tallied and what it reveals about the war's cost.

The Kremlin declared that Ukraine is now 'paying the price' for its own attacks on Russian territory, according to Reuters. The statement frames Russian military actions as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes inside Russia, and comes amid ongoing escalation in the war, with both sides continuing long-range attacks against targets far from the front lines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a new expansion of Russia's military, according to reporting picked up by international outlets including The Brussels Times. The decree adds to a series of build-ups announced since the invasion of Ukraine, as Moscow seeks to enlarge troop numbers and strengthen its armed forces. The move is being watched closely by NATO members and European governments concerned about long-term Russian military capacity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree expanding the size of the Russian armed forces for the fourth time in 2025, according to Euronews. The move comes as Russia's war in Ukraine continues to generate heavy troop losses, forcing the Kremlin to repeatedly raise recruitment targets. It underscores the mounting strain the conflict is placing on Russia's manpower and military planning.

A detailed breakdown outlines Russia's alleged plans for a potential invasion of Ukraine from the northern axis, and how Ukrainian defences could counter such a move. The analysis draws attention to the continuing risk of renewed Russian offensives and the military planning on both sides. Commentators are weighing how realistic the threat is and what it means for the course of the war.

Ukraine says its third-phase counteroffensive, Operation Vivaldi, has reclaimed 51 square kilometres of territory. Kyiv claims Russian forces suffered roughly 2,000 casualties, with a further 250 troops taken prisoner. The figures come from Ukrainian military sources and have not been independently verified, as the operation continues along the front.

Russian budget documents show military spending is set to rise 27% in 2027, according to reporting by The Moscow Times. The increase points to a continued shift of state finances toward defense and would extend years of heavy military outlays already driven by the war in Ukraine, raising questions about funding for civilian priorities and the sustainability of the budget.

Niger's military ruler Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in the 2023 coup, has cut ties with Western partners including the United States and France and brought in Russian forces to provide his personal security and support combat operations. The shift marks another step in the Sahel's drift away from traditional Western partners toward Moscow, and is drawing amused and critical reactions online.

Ukraine's General Staff reports that Russian forces lost 1,440 soldiers and two air defense systems over the past day of the war. Total Russian combat losses since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, through September 29, 2026, are estimated at roughly 1,532,500 personnel. The figures come from Ukraine's military and cannot be independently verified.

A Washington Post opinion piece argues that Western countries cannot meaningfully de-escalate tensions with Russia through concessions alone. The author contends that only a stronger, more credible display of Western military and political resolve will push Moscow toward negotiations, warning that perceived weakness risks further Russian aggression. The argument feeds into ongoing debate among allied governments over how much support to sustain for Ukraine and how to position themselves in future talks with the Kremlin.

The Wall Street Journal has published an opinion piece offering an inside look at the drone war in Ukraine. The piece examines how uncrewed aircraft have become central to fighting on the front lines, shaping tactics and battlefield outcomes for both Ukrainian and Russian forces. Coverage of drone warfare continues to draw attention as the conflict grinds on and drones redefine modern combat.

A Kyiv Post analysis examines a dilemma facing the Kremlin as Ukrainian drone attacks continue to hit Russian oil refineries, forcing trade-offs between protecting domestic fuel infrastructure and retaliating against Ukraine. The piece weighs what Vladimir Putin prioritizes more: defending critical energy assets at home or continuing strikes on Ukrainian territory.

Russia's economy is showing mounting problems, from high inflation and interest rates to a weakening ruble, yet the Kremlin shows no sign of winding down its war in Ukraine. Reporting from Moscow highlights the tension between a strained household economy and continued military spending. Observers are asking how long ordinary Russians will absorb the costs before the pressure becomes politically significant for the Kremlin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree raising the official size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, according to Russian state agency TASS. The increase continues a pattern of expansion since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and signals Moscow's intent to sustain a prolonged military campaign.

Roughly 250 Russian soldiers have surrendered to Ukrainian forces in the northern Donbas as part of what Ukrainian military commentator Yuriy Ponomarenko calls Operation Vivaldi. If confirmed, the mass capitulation would be one of the larger POW takings of the war and a sign of mounting pressure on Russian positions in the sector. The claim is circulating widely on Russian-language channels, with debate over how the surrender unfolded and what it means for the front line.

Russia's military casualties in its war against Ukraine increased by more than 2,000 over the past day, according to Ukrainian figures reported by Ukrinform. The daily toll highlights the continued intensity of fighting along the front lines, with Ukraine regularly publishing Russian losses in personnel as part of its wartime updates.

Russia's defence ministry says it carried out strikes on military infrastructure and vessels in Ukraine, according to reporting carried by Reuters and multiple US outlets. The claim comes as the war continues and follows repeated Russian attacks on Ukrainian military targets. Details on casualties, locations or the scale of damage have not been confirmed, and Ukrainian officials have not commented in the available reports.

Ukraine's General Staff says Russia has lost 1,531,060 troops since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. The figure comes from Kyiv's daily battlefield estimates, which are based on its military intelligence and cannot be independently verified. Moscow rarely discloses its own casualty numbers, and Western assessments have generally placed Russian losses below Ukrainian figures but still in the hundreds of thousands.

Reports say Russia will increase its military spending by roughly a third in 2027, taking defense expenditure to its highest level since the Soviet era. The plan signals continued prioritisation of the war effort and defense industry, and is drawing attention amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and debate over Western support for Kyiv.