Russian military

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.

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel, effective immediately. The decree replaces all previous decrees on army size and marks the seventh expansion of Russia's manpower levels since the start of the war in Ukraine. Observers note the move continues a steady pattern of force growth through presidential decrees rather than formal mobilization.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ukraine reports a first-of-its-kind engagement in which one of its unmanned surface vessels destroyed a Russian kamikaze drone boat at sea. The clash marks a military milestone in the growing battle between robotic vessels in the Black Sea, with both sides increasingly relying on uncrewed craft for attack and defense.

Ukraine's military reports that a new interceptor drone has shot down a Russian Geran-5 attack drone that was flying at 425 km/h. The claim, highlighted by UNITED24 Media, suggests Ukrainian air defenses are now able to counter faster loitering munitions used by Russia in its strikes. If confirmed, it would mark a step forward in Ukraine's drone-on-drone interception efforts, which have become a key layer of air defense against nightly Russian attacks.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies is calling on NATO allies to strengthen the alliance by improving military mobility across Europe and bolstering the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure. The argument is that troops, equipment and supplies must be able to move quickly across borders in a crisis, while ports, railways, pipelines and energy networks increasingly face cyber threats that could hamper any allied response.