Russia’s Military Power Has Tripled Since Invasion, Says Lithuanian Minister

Russia’s military strength is three times greater than it was before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said Monday.

He also warned that Russia is cooperating with China, North Korea and Iran while rapidly expanding its military industry. Because of this, he urged Europe to be more prepared militarily.

Russia is reforming its military forces, expanding its personnel, developing its military industry, and doing so very rapidly. Europe should also step up in this area.
—Dovilė Šakalienė

100,000 troops: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week that Russia is adding 100,000 troops to its military force. He said this shows Russia is not seeking to negotiate a peaceful resolution but is determined to continue the war.

Zelenskyy warned that Russia’s military expansion is not solely a threat to Ukraine’s security and said European nations must continue strengthening their defense, emphasizing the target of spending 5 percent of gross domestic product on defense as a “key agenda point.”

Europe’s response: Lithuania, along with Latvia and Poland, allocated over 3 percent of its gdp for defense in its 2025 budget out of fear of Russia. It set a goal of reaching 5 to 6 percent of gdp between 2026 and 2030, which would mark an unprecedented rise.

Putin persists: As Russia’s war on Ukraine nears its three-year mark with devastating losses on both sides, Russian President Vladimir Putin is still determined to conquer the nation.

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