The Russian military is sending wounded troops on crutches back to the frontlines to fight, and redeploying soldiers with significant injuries to combat roles, as it struggles with growing manpower issues,

The Kremlin said on Thursday that any plan to send European troops to Ukraine as part of a potential peacekeeping mission would be unacceptable for Russia and that it was monitoring such proposals with concern.

Moscow’s forces are three miles from Dnipropetrovsk, a province they have never invaded. If they cross in, the advance would be a morale blow to Ukraine and complicate any territorial negotiations.

Since then, the UK has not seriously considered deploying troops overseas. In the intervening years, the Chilcot inquiry found that the UK’s decision to join the invasion of Iraq was made prematurely,

In the shadow of imminent defeat, European powers have unveiled their most audacious military initiative since the end of World War II. As Russia tightens its grip on Ukraine, Britain and France are preparing to cross a line that could potentially reshape the continent's security landscape forever.