World·Ukraine
Putin orders Russian forces to 2.44 million; Zelenskyy warns of 10,000 more North Korean troops
A presidential decree published Monday on Russia’s official legal database sets the size of Russia’s armed forces at 2,441,630, including 1,550,500 active servicemen — an increase of 15,500 active troops and the fourth such expansion this year, CNBC reported Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that more than 8,000 North Korean troops are already on Russian territory and that another 10,000 are being selected for training and deployment, and that Russia is paying partly with technology including Shahed-type drone production in North Korea. The moves come as Russia continues near-daily strikes on Ukraine and diplomatic talks remain stalled.
Sources
- CNBCPutin orders army expansion as Zelenskyy warns Russia preparing to deploy 10,000 North Korean troops