Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
He even hinted at promoting veterans to political reserves
He even hinted at forming a reserve of political leaders consisting of veterans.
What is happening?
Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that more than 700,000 Russian soldiers are currently stationed along the front lines in Ukraine.
The statement was made during a televised meeting with leaders of the State Duma, where he also praised the troops’ sacrifices and ongoing combat efforts, according to AFP and Reuters.
A war of attrition: Heavy losses on both sides
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion over three years ago, both sides have suffered enormous casualties.
Independent tracking by Mediazona and BBC’s Russian Service has confirmed the deaths of over 130,000 Russian soldiers.
Still, actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to limited official data.
Russia’s casualty numbers likely underreported
The figure of 130,150 Russian military deaths comes from verified public sources such as obituaries, social media posts, and regional news reports.
Official figures remain rare, with both Moscow and Kyiv providing limited updates.
Ukraine estimates that Russian killed or wounded soldiers may now exceed 1 million.
Promises from the Kremlin: Land for veterans
Putin announced support for a proposal to grant land to veterans of the so-called “special military operation.”
He emphasized the importance of helping those who return from the front and even suggested they could form a reserve of political leaders—though he stopped short of endorsing mandatory quotas for veterans in government.
Ukraine launches Eastern counteroffensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv has launched a new counteroffensive on the eastern front.
Speaking after a visit to Donetsk, he reported that Ukrainian forces had already retaken seven settlements in key battle zones.
Zelensky: Russians blocked from major assault
Zelensky claimed Ukrainian forces had disrupted Russia’s long-planned major offensive, denying them the initiative.
“Our forces deprived the occupier of the opportunity to carry out a large-scale offensive operation,” he stated in a video address.
Over 170 square kilometers liberated
According to Zelensky, Ukrainian troops have liberated over 170 square kilometers, including nine towns or villages.
The most significant gains have been in the Dobropillia and Pokrovsk sectors—areas that saw rapid Russian advances just weeks ago.
Fierce fighting near Pokrovsk and Dobropillia
Zelensky described the fighting as “intense,” especially near Pokrovsk, a strategic transport hub, and Dobropillia, where Russia had made gains in August.
Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrsky confirmed the recapture of seven settlements in these contested zones.
Donetsk remains the war’s epicenter
The eastern Donetsk region continues to see the heaviest clashes. Though partially under Russian control, it remains fiercely contested.
Moscow insists Ukraine must give up the area before any peace talks can begin—a demand Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.
Civilian toll mounts amid ongoing attacks
Russian airstrikes continue to target civilian areas.
On Thursday, a guided bomb attack on the town of Kostiantynivka, just 40 km from Dobropillia, killed five civilians.
Russian troops have advanced to within eight kilometers of the city, which serves as a vital Ukrainian supply base.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
