Russia's ambitious military expansion includes controversial recruits
Russia plans to bolster its army with at least 280,000 soldiers by 2025. Half of this number is expected to be composed of prisoners, credit debtors, and individuals with legal issues, according to Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR).
According to HUR, Russia plans to mobilize at least 126,000 soldiers from the so-called "special contingent," which includes people serving sentences, under investigation, or with outstanding loans. Moscow intends to mobilize an average of 10,000 people monthly from this group.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine estimates that the losses of Russian troops in the war with Ukraine amount to about 835,000 killed and injured soldiers.
Zelensky calls for peacekeeping mission
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need to deploy at least 200,000 European peacekeeping troops in his country during the World Economic Forum in Davos. According to him, such a number is necessary to prevent a new Russian assault following a potential ceasefire agreement.
Zelensky stated that 200,000 soldiers are the minimum required for a mission to avoid a renewed Russian incursion, assuming the Russian armed forces will have 1.5 million soldiers, while the Ukrainian troops will have half that number.
