Putin Plans to Increase Russian Troop Deployment in Ukraine by 15%, Escalating Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a presidential decree to increase the number of Russian troops by 15%. This will add approximately 170,000 serving personnel in stages, bringing the total number to 1,320,000. The decision was made in response to perceived threats, including the expansion of NATO. Although Russia does not release casualty figures, it is believed to have suffered significant losses during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Russian defense ministry clarified that the troop increase would be achieved gradually through recruitment drives, rather than through mobilization or changes to conscription. The ministry also cited the growth of NATO forces near Russia's borders and the threats associated with its military operations in Ukraine as reasons for the increase. Notably, Finland has recently joined NATO, and Sweden has applied to do so. However, Ukraine's membership in NATO is contingent upon certain conditions being met, and it cannot join while it is still engaged in a conflict with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for reinforcements and stronger defenses along the front line with Russia due to freezing temperatures in the region.