700,000 Troops and Rising Tensions: Russia’s War Claims in Focus

Published September 19, 2025

Russia’s Claimed Advances in Ukraine: Momentum, Messaging, and the Road Ahead

Russia has declared significant progress on the battlefield in Ukraine, with officials claiming advances “on practically all fronts” and the deployment of some 700,000 troops across the theater of operations. The announcements, reported by Russian state sources and echoed in international coverage, signal not only a deepening of the war but also an intensification of the battle for perception.

Moscow’s Military Claims

According to Russia’s Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, Russian forces are pressing forward in multiple directions, with heavy fighting reported in Donetsk, Zaporozhye, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. The Gateway Pundit highlighted Moscow’s assertion of broad momentum, while Anadolu Agency reported that Russia claimed the capture of the village of Muravka in Donetsk, along with several other small settlements in recent days.

Russian statements also pointed to a strategy of attrition: precision strikes using drones and guided missiles targeted energy infrastructure, fuel depots, transportation hubs, and Ukrainian training centers. The goal, according to Moscow, is to undermine Kyiv’s logistics and ability to sustain operations. Russia further claimed to have downed guided aerial bombs, HIMARS projectiles, and drones used by Ukrainian forces.

The Propaganda Dimension

While battlefield gains may indeed be occurring, the scale and framing of Russia’s statements serve a broader purpose. Boasting of advances “on all fronts” and emphasizing massive troop deployments reinforces a narrative of inevitability, aimed at boosting morale at home and discouraging Ukraine and its allies. In wartime, information is as much a weapon as artillery shells.

The lack of immediate confirmation from Ukrainian sources underscores the fog of war. Kyiv often avoids validating Russian claims while preparing its own counter-narratives. Independent verification of these battlefield reports remains difficult, leaving much of the public reliant on conflicting official accounts.

Economic Stakes

Behind the frontlines, the war is also being fought in economic terms. Sustaining 700,000 troops will put enormous strain on Russia’s resources, even as Western sanctions bite. At the same time, targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure threatens to worsen blackouts and energy shortages as winter approaches, adding civilian suffering to the battlefield toll. Global energy and grain markets remain vulnerable to further disruptions stemming from the Black Sea theater.

 Implications

Military Implications

• Force Buildup: If Russia indeed has 700,000 troops deployed, it indicates a long-term military commitment and preparation for a protracted conflict.

• Incremental Gains: Capturing villages like Muravka suggests Russia is consolidating small but steady advances, aiming to weaken Ukraine’s defensive depth.

• Pressure Across Fronts: Reports of activity in Donetsk, Zaporozhye, and Dnipropetrovsk show that Russia wants to stretch Ukrainian defenses thin by forcing them to fight on multiple fronts.

• Attrition Strategy: Strikes on energy, fuel, and transport infrastructure point to Russia’s attempt to degrade Ukraine’s ability to resupply, train troops, and maintain mobility.

Political Implications

• Domestic Messaging: Announcements of sweeping advances serve propaganda purposes, boosting morale at home and reinforcing the Kremlin’s narrative of momentum.

• Ukraine’s Response: Lack of confirmation from Kyiv may mean they want to avoid validating Russian gains, or they are waiting for counter-operations.

• Western Support Dynamics: If Russia continues to show visible gains, Ukraine’s allies may face pressure to send more weapons and aid—or, conversely, some may begin questioning the sustainability of their support.

Geopolitical Implications

• Signal to NATO & EU: Moscow’s claim of large troop deployments and advances is also a warning signal to NATO that Russia is not backing down.

• Negotiation Pressure: Demonstrating battlefield momentum may strengthen Russia’s hand in any future talks, pressing Ukraine toward concessions.

• Regional Instability: Prolonged fighting in Donetsk, Zaporozhye, and Dnipropetrovsk threatens to destabilize Eastern Europe further, with risks of spillover incidents (missiles, drones, refugee flows).

Economic Implications

• Energy & Infrastructure Attacks: Targeting Ukraine’s power and fuel infrastructure could worsen blackouts this winter, affecting civilian life and wartime industry.

• Global Markets: Any perception of Russian momentum might impact energy and grain markets, as both rely on Black Sea stability.

• War Costs: Sustaining 700,000 troops will strain Russia’s economy long-term, even as sanctions limit its financial flexibility.

 Overall Takeaway:

Russia’s claims of advancing on multiple fronts and deploying 700,000 troops reflect both the intensity of the war and the scale of Moscow’s commitment to achieving its objectives in Ukraine. Whether these reports represent decisive breakthroughs or carefully crafted messaging, the implications are far-reaching. Incremental territorial gains and strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure signal a grinding war of attrition designed to sap Kyiv’s strength and test Western resolve. At the same time, the sheer scale of manpower and resources committed by Russia raises questions about long-term sustainability, both militarily and economically.

For Ukraine and its allies, the challenge lies in countering not just the battlefield advances but also the narrative of unstoppable momentum that Moscow seeks to project. As the conflict deepens, the outcome will hinge not only on firepower and territory, but also on political will, international support, and the capacity of both sides to endure a drawn-out confrontation.

SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Russia Says Its Forces Advance on All Fronts, With 700,000 Troops in the Theater of Operations (VIDEOS)

ANADOLU AJANSI – Russia claims to have captured another village in Ukraine