Ukraine responded to renewed Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, logistics far from front lines.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday he views the performance of the air force in some parts of the country as “unsatisfactory” and that steps are being taken to improve the response to large-scale Russian drone barrages of civilian areas.

Over the past six months, the number of Russian troops in Ukraine has remained at approximately the same level — between 711,000 and 712,000 personnel, including the operational reserve, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi told journalists.

Volodymyr Zelensky has been talking up Russia’s battlefield fatalities and has asked his new Defense Minister to make it a priority.

As casualties in Ukraine continue to mount, the Kremlin is seeking new sources of manpower while trying to avoid the political shock of full mobilization. Just days before the New Year, Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed laws expanding military conscription.