Article

As of January 2026, Russia has lost 1.2 million troops in Ukraine, leading to a military presence bolstered by foreign forces from North Korea and Cuba due to significant troop shortages. Despite increased defense spending, many Russian units remain equipped with outdated Cold War technology, limiting their effectiveness against Ukrainian forces, while recruitment challenges have reduced troop numbers to approximately 850,000. The situation underscores ongoing historical tensions with Ukraine, where Russian-speaking populations largely support independence.