A close ally of President Vladimir Putin warned Western governments on Thursday that a nuclear war would ensue if they gave the green light for Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered the country’s military to increase its number of troops by 180,000 to a total of 1.5 million, as Moscow’s military action in Ukraine drags on for more than two and a half years. The presidential decree, published on the official government website, will take effect on 1 December.

The Russian president earlier this year rebuffed Defense Ministry officials who had tried to convince him they needed more soldiers.

As the independent portal Meduza reported, Vladimir Putin ordered an increase in the Russian army by 180,000 people. What does the Russian President’s decision mean? The Russians are alarmed because mass mobilization into the military could start again.

As the independent portal Meduza reported, Vladimir Putin ordered an increase in the Russian army by 180,000 people. What does the Russian President’s decision mean? The Russians are terrified because mass mobilization into the military could start again.