
Putin Orders Fourth Military Expansion as Ukraine Accuses Moscow of Mobilizing North Korean Troops
Vladimir Putin signed a decree increasing Russia’s active military personnel by 15,500, bringing the total to 1.55 million. This is the fourth such expansion this year, adding 47,860 troops since March. The move occurs as battlefield advances stall and both sides rely heavily on drones. While the Kremlin cites no specific reason, analysts view it as a technical adjustment or a response to broader strategic threats, including tensions with NATO. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims Russia is preparing a new mobilization wave, citing the presence of over 8,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia and plans to deploy another 10,000. Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled, with fundamental disagreements over territory and security guarantees persisting despite recent US-led mediation attempts.













