Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia's largest autumn military conscription since 2016 as he continues his assault on Ukraine.The Kremlin despot wants 135,000 men between 18 and 30 years old to join the country's military service in a significantly bulked-up version of its seasonal recruitment drive.Russia calls up young males for compulsory service each spring and autumn, which typically sees them serve for a year at a military base within the country.Though there have been reports of conscripts being instantly put on the frontline, there is no guarantee that the latest recruits will be sent straight to war.However, it is believed the Kremlin is feeling increased pressure to maintain an offensive after the death and injury toll for Russian soldiers well surpassed one million.In a decree issued on Monday, Putin ordered 'the conscription of 135,000 citizens of the Russian Federation from October 1 to December 31, 2025'. Combined with the 160,000 Russians called up in the spring, it means 2025 is set to see the largest total number of call-ups to its military in nearly a decade.Since launching his assault on Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has put Russia on a war footing and boosted military spending to levels unseen since the Soviet era. Russian solders are pictured marching in Red Square, central Moscow, on May 9 2025In an address on the Kremlin's website last night, Putin said his forces are prevailing in what he labelled as a 'righteous battle' against Ukraine.He said: 'Our fighters and commanders go on the attack, and the entire country, all of Russia, is waging this righteous battle and working hard.'Together we are defending our love for the Motherland and the unity of our historical destiny, we are fighting and we are prevailing.'The Russian Defence Ministry also said it had taken control of two settlements of eastern Donetsk last night, Shandryholove and Zarichne.It then issued a second statement saying Defence Minister Andrei Belousov had congratulated the unit for the 'bold and decisive' actions that led to the territorial captures.Footage released by Russia showed troops moving between buildings while holding aloft a flag as they claimed to take control of Shandryholove.Ukrainian officials did not address the Russian claims, but President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv's counter-offensive operation near the town of Dobropillia, also in the Donetsk region, had made strong progress. Ukraine's military made no acknowledgment of Zarichne changing hands. But a lengthy media report on Saturday said the village remained under Ukrainian control, with Russian soldiers only entering parts of it.The war has no end in sight despite increasing diplomatic efforts, including US President Donald Trump's summits with Putin, Zelensky and other European leaders.US Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, said Ukraine could receive approval for deep strikes into Russian territory. Young Russian males are pictured receiving combat training after being conscripted last yearHe said: 'Reading what [Trump] has said and reading what vice-president JD Vance has said, as well as secretary of state Marco Rubio, the answer is yes. 'Use the ability to hit deep. There are no such things as sanctuaries.'US Vice-President Vance said America could also provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, a move Trump had previously not sanctioned.Mr Vance said this was something the President would 'make the final determination on'.But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed any help the US could provide, saying: 'Whether it’s Tomahawks or other missiles, they won’t be able to change the dynamic.'Closer to home Britain's defence secretary John Healey implored Putin to 'stop the killing' while speaking at the Labour Party conference.Mr Healey said: 'Our message to Moscow from Liverpool today is this: "President Putin, you will not win. Stop the killing, start the talks, agree to a peace".'He added: 'We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.'Increasing threats over Putin's potential invasion into other areas of Western Europe have ramped up in recent weeks, particularly after Russian fighter jets were intercepted by NATO warplanes after they entered Estonia.Sir Keir Starmer has suggested possible sanctions for Putin if he does not agree to a meet with Zelensky.