In the United States and Europe, there is growing uncertainty about how to counter Putin’s aggression without stoking a direct conflict with Russia.

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.

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.