Russian military announces successful capture of eastern Ukrainian city Kostiantynivka

The Russian military recently announced that it has successfully captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, located in the Donetsk region. This event marks the latest development in the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The Russian armed forces are among the largest military forces in the world, with approximately one million active-duty personnel and nearly two million reservists. The Russian military consists of three service branches—the Army, the Navy, and the Aerospace Forces—along with three independent combat arms, including the Strategic Missile Forces, the Airborne Forces, and the Unmanned Systems Forces. Russia possesses the world's largest nuclear weapons stockpile and operates the second-largest fleet of ballistic missile nuclear submarines globally. Russia is also the only country aside from the United States and China to possess strategic bombers. According to data for 2025, Russia's military expenditure ranks third in the world, at approximately 190 billion US dollars, accounting for 7.5% of the country's GDP.

The Russian military utilizes a mixed system combining conscription and voluntary service. Russian law mandates that all male citizens aged 18 to 27 must serve one year of military service. Despite efforts by Russia since the early 2000s to professionalize its armed forces, the military remains heavily reliant on conscription. The operations of the Russian military in Ukraine are part of its broader military strategy aimed at safeguarding Russia's influence and security in the region.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine began in 2014 following a political upheaval in Ukraine, after which Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula. Since then, clashes between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatist forces have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions of displaced persons. Russia's military intervention in Ukraine has drawn widespread international attention and condemnation, leading numerous countries to impose economic sanctions on Russia.

Russia's actions in Ukraine have also impacted European and global security dynamics. Russia's military expansionism has raised concerns among NATO and the European Union, prompting many nations to step up military assistance and support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia's relations with China and other countries are continually evolving as Moscow seeks to strengthen its influence and standing in global affairs.

For Taiwan, although Russia's military operations in Ukraine have no direct connection to Taiwan, the impact of this event on regional and global security is worthy of attention. Russia's military expansionism and global strategy have affected the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, while also exerting an indirect influence on Taiwan's national security and foreign policy. Therefore, understanding Russia's military strategy and global influence is crucial for Taiwan in safeguarding its national security and developing its foreign policy.