Russian military

Vladimir Putin has signed a decree immediately increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The decree replaces all previous ones on army strength and marks the seventh such expansion of Russian force levels since the start of the war in Ukraine.

German public broadcaster ZDFheute is examining the risk of a Russian attack on NATO's eastern flank, asking how realistic an invasion of alliance territory would be. The discussion covers Russia's military capacity, NATO's defensive posture and Europe's preparedness, drawing wide public attention amid ongoing war in Ukraine and renewed debate over European security.

Reports claim Russian forces carried out large-scale strikes on Kyiv, saying the attacks hit Ukrainian military hubs and killed 'NATO specialists'. Russian officials have repeatedly framed strikes against foreign personnel in Ukraine as targeting Western involvement in the war. Ukraine has not confirmed such claims, and figures on casualties or damage remain unverified. The reported strikes add to ongoing Russian bombardment of the Ukrainian capital amid the continuing war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says North Korea is preparing to deploy an additional 10,000 soldiers to support Russia's war effort. The claim points to an expansion of Pyongyang's military involvement, which already saw thousands of North Korean troops sent to fight alongside Russian forces. The announcement adds to concerns about foreign manpower sustaining Russia's invasion and widening the conflict's international dimensions.

Russia plans to increase its 2027 military spending by 27%, according to budget documents reviewed by Reuters. The figures point to a continued shift of Russian state finances toward defense despite talk of possible peace negotiations over Ukraine, and the report is drawing attention among analysts tracking Moscow's war economy and long-term military commitments.

Russia is sending the remains of medieval princes and Orthodox saints to the front lines, according to CNN reporting on the growing fusion of the Russian military and the Orthodox Church. Relics of figures like Alexander Nevsky are being paraded and venerated as the Kremlin frames the war in Ukraine as a holy cause, and the practice is drawing attention to how far religion has been enlisted in the war effort.

A Russian strategic bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons has crashed in the country's eastern region, according to breaking reports. Details on the crew, casualties and cause of the crash have not yet been confirmed. The incident is drawing wide attention given the aircraft's strategic role amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an increase of 15,000 troops to the country's armed forces, according to Al Jazeera, which examines the reasons behind the decision. The move extends the ongoing expansion of Russia's military since the invasion of Ukraine, and observers are weighing what it signals about Moscow's war plans and manpower needs.

Kommersant reports that Russia's General Staff opposed the appointment of General Alexander Lapin as head of a State Duma committee, blocking his candidacy. The newspaper cites reasons for the military leadership's decision, though details remain sparse. The report has drawn attention in Russia as it touches on tensions between the army command and political leadership over senior appointments. Lapin, a commander in the Ukraine war, has been a polarizing figure among Russian military bloggers.

Ukraine has carried out an operation reportedly named Vivaldi, using deception tactics to take whole units of Russian soldiers prisoner, according to German reporting. The operation is being cited as an example of Ukrainian battlefield ingenuity, with large groups of Russian troops captured rather than killed. Details about where and when the captures occurred remain limited.

Footage has emerged showing the final flight of a Russian military Tu-95 aircraft moments before it crashed in a Russian region. The video is circulating widely as people seek details about the incident, the condition of the crew, and the circumstances that led to the strategic bomber going down.

EU officials are discussing adding Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, to the bloc's list of terrorist organizations. The initiative follows a series of sabotage acts and other hybrid attacks across Europe, in which authorities in several countries suspect Russian intelligence services of involvement. The move would mark a significant escalation in the EU's response to Moscow's covert operations on European soil, and it is drawing wide attention as governments weigh the diplomatic and legal implications.

Robert Brovdi, known as Magyar, commander of Ukraine's unmanned aerial forces, has reportedly had a $20 million bounty placed on him by the Kremlin. Russian authorities allegedly blame Brovdi's drone units for heavy losses of Russian aircraft and equipment. The claim is drawing wide attention, underlining how consequential Ukrainian drone operations have become in the war.

French media report that a suspected Russian informant infiltrating a Ukrainian drone unit has been unmasked before an attack could be carried out. According to Le Parisien, the "mole" was operating among Ukrainian drone operators in the context of the war in Ukraine and was identified in time to prevent a strike, highlighting ongoing espionage concerns on both sides of the conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the addition of 15,000 new soldiers to the country's armed forces, marking the fourth military expansion this year. The move comes as Russia's war in Ukraine continues with little visible progress on the front lines, prompting questions about Moscow's manpower needs and long-term intentions.

A Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all six crew members on board, according to reports circulating widely online. The Tu-95MS is a long-range, nuclear-capable turboprop bomber that Russia uses for missile strikes, so the loss of an airframe and crew is drawing significant attention. Details about the location, cause of the crash, and the exact circumstances remain limited as the story develops.

A Russian nuclear-capable bomber has crashed, killing all six people on board. The aircraft went down during what reports describe as a routine flight, and there is no indication of nuclear weapons involved. Details about the cause of the crash and the exact location have not been fully confirmed, and Russian authorities are expected to investigate. The loss of the crew adds to a series of incidents involving Russian military aviation in recent years.

Warships of Russia's Northern Fleet have sailed through the Shokalsky Strait for the first time in the history of the Russian Navy, according to Nezavisimaya Gazeta. The route through the Arctic strait highlights growing naval activity in northern waters and the fleet's expanding operational reach in the region.

Estonian authorities have blamed Russia for an arson attack targeting Milrem, an Estonian company that develops military robotics. The accusation points to a suspected act of sabotage against a defense manufacturer in a NATO member state, and comes amid broader concerns about Russian covert operations aimed at countries supporting Ukraine. Officials have not detailed what evidence led to the conclusion.

Robert Brovdi, the Ukrainian commander known as 'Madyar' who leads the country's unmanned systems forces, is being searched for in several European countries, including France and Sweden. The attention comes as President Zelenskyy says Russia has already begun additional mobilisation, keeping Ukraine's military leadership and front-line command in the spotlight.

Search interest in military service is rising in Russia, with the topic ranking among the most queried items in the region. The term covers conscription, contract service and mobilization-related questions, issues that remain sensitive for many Russian families as the conflict in Ukraine continues.

Russia has recruited 15,000 new soldiers into its army, its fourth military expansion this year, according to reports. The move comes as the war in Ukraine is described as stalling, prompting speculation about Moscow's strategic intentions. Observers are watching whether the recruitment signals a push for a renewed offensive or an effort to replenish depleted forces.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance will increase its support for Ukraine as Russian attacks continue. The pledge signals that NATO allies intend to sustain and expand military and other assistance to Kyiv despite the ongoing war and mounting pressure from Russian hostilities. The statement comes as Western leaders weigh how to keep backing Ukraine over the long term.

Russian forces struck a UAV launch position of Ukraine's 13th National Guard Brigade in Slobozhanske, in the Kharkiv region, using two Kh-39 missiles, according to war-monitoring reports. The strike is part of ongoing Russian attacks on military targets in eastern Ukraine as fighting continues along the front.

A Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber has crashed, killing all six crew members aboard, according to reports circulating in news and military-affairs circles. The Tu-95 is Russia's main long-range nuclear-capable bomber and has been used to launch cruise missiles in the war against Ukraine. Details on the cause and location of the crash have not yet been confirmed.