Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (September 18) that more than 700,000 Russian soldiers are now deployed on the Ukrainian front line.

Putin made the comment during a televised meeting with top Russian lawmakers.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

NOVO-OGARYOVO, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 18, 2025) (RUSSIAN POOL – Access all)

1. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN MEETING WITH HEADS OF FRACTIONS OF RUSSIAN STATE DUMA

2.PUTIN LISTENING

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING (ASKED ABOUT THE IDEA TO IMPLEMENT THE QUOTA LIMIT FOR VETERANS IN TAKING UP POSITIONS IN CIVIL SERVICE):

"(OVER WIDE SHOT OF MEETING) There are more than 700,000 (soldiers) now (PUTIN IN SHOT) on the (Ukrainian) front line. So, we should choose among them, but we should choose those who are motivated and are prone to (OVER TOP LAWMAKER SERGEY MIRONOV LISTENING) this kind of work."

4. MIRONOV LISTENING

5. MEETING IN PROGRESS