Russia Expands Military as Ukraine Reports Heavy Frontline Losses

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that Russia has begun new conscription and is expanding foreign recruitment to address chronic troop shortages, citing intelligence that over 8,000 North Korean soldiers are already assisting Russian operations. Zelensky stated Moscow is intensifying mobilization efforts and incorporating mercenaries, with Pyongyang training 10,000 more troops, while Russia funds this through illicit means and produces Shahed drones in North Korea. He urged Western states to intensify sanctions and cooperate with Kyiv to prevent foreign mercenary recruitment. The comments followed Putin's Monday order raising Russia's armed forces by 15,500 to 2,441,630 personnel, the fourth such increase in 2026. Russian losses reportedly exceeded 405,000 combat deaths since 2022, with daily casualties reaching 2,090 on Sept. 28, prompting observers to predict involuntary reserve call-ups.