Ukrainian intelligence estimates that Russia now has more than 320,000 troops in the country – about twice as many as at the start of the full-scale invasion just under a year ago.
According to military analysts, Russia also has 150,000 to 250,000 soldiers in reserve, who are either in training or are stationed in Russia to enter the war at any time, writes the New York Times.
Oscar Jonsson at the Norwegian Defense Academy believes that it is unclear what the soldiers that Russia has brought in can contribute in the form of larger strategic operations.
At the same time, he says that the number of Russian soldiers matters.
- Right now they are using foot soldiers as pure cannon fodder.
They are sent straight to the front, then when the Ukrainian ironclads fire at them, Russia uses its artillery, he says and continues:
- It creates heavy Russian losses, but it is a way for them to use the offensive capacity.
The most important thing for Ukraine: Military capability
Several Western countries recently agreed to send tanks of modern NATO standard to Ukraine.
Oscar Jonsson believes that it is partly a response to the build-up of Russian capability.
- The most important thing for Ukraine is not necessarily more numbers, but better abilities to meet the onslaught that is coming, says Oscar Jonsson.