Russian troops are advancing fast along Ukrainian frontline, defense minister says

Reuters
Servicemen of the 24th Mechanized Brigade fire a 2s1 self-propelled 122mm howitzer toward Russian positions near Chasiv Yar town, in Donetsk region on Dec. 12, 2024. (Ukrainian 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP)
  • Some 427,000 servicemen have signed contracts with the army this year

MOSCOW: Russian troops have pushed Ukrainian forces out of almost 4,500 square kilometers of territory this year and are advancing an average 30 square kilometers per day, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said on Monday.
Some 427,000 servicemen have signed contracts with the army this year, Belousov told a meeting of defense officials and President Vladimir Putin.
Military spending had reached 6.3 percent of gross domestic product, he said, a figure in line with Russia’s budget proposals.