Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that approximately 700,000 Russian soldiers are currently deployed in Ukraine. This is the largest force Russia has committed since the start of the war in February 2022.
Putin’s statement comes amid signs that Ukraine’s military is under pressure, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging for more international aid as Kyiv grapples with manpower shortages and slowing Western support.
“There are 617,000 people in the combat zone. The total number of our military personnel in the special military operation zone is over 700,000,” — Vladimir Putin, Sept. 2025.
Ukraine, meanwhile, continues to fight on multiple fronts, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region where Russian forces are heavily concentrated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently acknowledged growing pressure on the front lines, citing critical shortages of ammunition and trained personnel.
Despite some localized gains, Ukrainian forces have largely been forced into defensive positions as Russia intensifies its offensive operations. The Ukrainian president continues to call for increased support from Western allies, emphasizing that Ukraine’s ability to hold the line depends heavily on foreign military and financial assistance.
Ukraine has just faced an intense barrage of missile and drone strikes from Russian forces overnight, according to a statement by President Volodymyr Zelensky on his official X account. The unprecedented assault involved 40 missiles, including cruise and ballistic types, and approximately 580 drones targeting multiple regions across the country.
While the figure of 700,000 Russian troops is staggering, military analysts caution against assuming this alone translates to imminent Russian victory. The size of Russia’s deployed force certainly gives it an advantage in manpower and logistics, but sheer numbers do not guarantee success on the battlefield. However since early 2024, Russian gains have been continuous pushing back the Ukrainian forces, and gaining in mulitple regions despite the fact that Kyiv has been aaided by advanced Western-supplied weapons, implementing defense strategies and even launching limited counterattacks in certain sectors.
Ukraine Defence and NATO backing
According to military analysts and Ukrainian officials, Russian forces are heavily concentrated in Donetsk Oblast — one of the most contested regions in the ongoing war. Ukraine’s defense lines remain active but strained, particularly under the weight of drone strikes, artillery, and continuous waves of infantry assaults.
Ukrainian troop count: ~900,000 across all forces (not all front-line ready)
Western support: Slowing, but ongoing
Key areas under threat: Donetsk, Avdiivka, Bakhmut corridor
Zelensky recently acknowledged setbacks but said Ukraine had achieved “important localized successes” and is not giving up on the fight.
Russia has recently ramped up the use of drones and missile attacks, targeting critical Ukrainian infrastructure. Just this week, over 40 drones and multiple cruise missiles hit Ukrainian cities, killing civilians and disrupting power grids.
Ukraine’s air defense, while bolstered by Western systems, is struggling to intercept every wave.
“Our systems are being stretched thin. Every day, we have to shoot down 20-30 incoming threats,” — Ukrainian Air Defense Commander
So far, NATO countries have continued support — but aid packages are taking longer to approve, and some U.S. and EU politicians are growing hesitant.
Germany: Sending more tanks and missiles
USA: $60B military aid approved in August but facing budget debate
UK: New intelligence-sharing pact signed with Kyiv
Should Western aid slow dramatically, Ukraine’s position would become increasingly difficult.
While Russia has ramped up production of military hardware and expanded recruitment, Ukraine relies heavily on the continued flow of Western military aid. Recent delays in aid packages from the United States and European Union have raised alarms in Kyiv. However, new deliveries of tanks, artillery, and air defense systems are still reaching the front lines, allowing Ukraine to maintain a defensive posture, especially around key urban centers and strategic routes. It seems Russia is ready to take as much time it needs to grind down the Ukrainian forces.
