Russia Increases Troop Numbers by 170,000 Amid Ukraine Conflict and NATO Expansion

Russia is increasing its military troop numbers by nearly 170,000, bringing the total to 1.3 million, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine and the expansion of NATO as reasons for the buildup. The Russian defense ministry claims that NATO forces are being built up near Russia's borders, with additional air defense systems and strike weapons being deployed, and an increase in NATO's tactical nuclear forces. This is the second time Russia has increased its troop numbers since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.