Russia's Nuclear Soldiers Join Ukraine Fight

In a surprising move, Russia has sent troops from its Strategic Missile Forces to the frontlines in Ukraine. These soldiers usually handle nuclear weapons, but now they're fighting like regular infantry. This change comes as Russia's troop numbers drop. A Ukrainian military outlet, Militarnyi, reported that these units were formed over the summer and sent to combat. They're likely not the specialists who handle nuclear weapons, but support staff. Interestingly, these troops were given Chinese civilian radios because they didn't have proper communication gear.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense reported heavy losses on both sides. A research fellow from the Council on Geostrategy think tank said replacing casualties is crucial for winning a war of attrition. Both Russia and Ukraine are struggling with troop numbers. However, it's hard to verify the exact numbers as neither side publicly shares their losses. Russia has also sent "space troops" to defend the Kursk region, which Ukraine attacked in August. These troops were formed quickly to fill the personnel gap. A volunteer organizer in the Donetsk People's Republic confirmed the Strategic Missile Forces' activity in Kursk.

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