Ukraine war briefing: Putin orders army expansion as Zelenskyy says more North Koreans to be deployed in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an increase in the size of the army to 1.55 million active servicemen. This expansion is significant because it will put the size of Russia's armed forces at 2,441,630. The move comes as both Russia and Ukraine suffer mounting casualties in the ongoing Ukraine war. This escalation in military strength could have implications for the conflict's trajectory and may impact global markets, particularly those sensitive to geopolitical tensions.

Why it matters

The conflict in Ukraine is intensifying with Putin ordering an army expansion and reports of North Korean troops being deployed in Russia. This escalation could lead to increased instability and market volatility.

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