Putin expected to 'double or even treble' Russian troop numbers in eastern Ukraine

While Russian troops are poorly-led and ill-disciplined, they are also becoming desensitised by the war, an official said, leading to “revolting” behaviour, such as the “targeting of civilians”.

Russia could look to double or even triple its troop presence as it looks to take the east of Ukraine, a Western official said. Picture: Petros Giannakouris/AP

Vladimir Putin is expected to double or even possibly triple the number of Russian troops in the Donbas as the Russian president resorts to a “diminished” invasion strategy, according to Western officials.

The amassing of troops, however, will not necessarily give Moscow an advantage over Ukraine, with Kyiv’s forces having had success in pushing back insurgents in the east of the country, they said.