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Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia plans to draft 300,000 additional troops for its war effort in Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia is expected to draft an additional 300,000 troops to reach a total of 500,000 by 2027. This peripheral mobilization targets Russia's far-flung regions rather than central cities. The move comes as Moscow's forces press forward into the Donbas region at a significant cost to Russian manpower. Zelensky noted that while Russia is advancing, it is losing a maximum amount of troops in its bid to gain territory. Ukraine is currently facing a critical shortage of U.S.-designed Patriot interceptors, with expected numbers dropping significantly from previous years. To address these needs, Ukraine has reached agreements with France and Germany for various air- defense systems. The war effort is further complicated by a $27 billion defense funding gap this year. Zelensky indicated that at least $8 billion is required for a normal start to 2027, with an additional $20 billion needed for military salaries and family payments.

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