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.

Ukrainian service members of the 68th Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush attend military exercises at a training ground, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine February 20,