Putin orders major expansion of Russian military by 180,000 troops

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to expand the size of the country’s armed forces by 180,000 troops , increasing the total military personnel to nearly 2.4 million. The decision comes as Moscow continues its protracted military campaign in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

The new decree will increase the number of combat troops to 1.5 million, a move designed to bolster Russian forces as they face increasing pressure from Ukrainian counteroffensives. The expansion will officially take effect on Dec. 1, 2024.

This is the third major troop increase since the start of the war. Last year, Putin ordered a mobilization of 300,000 reservists after Ukrainian forces made significant territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. That mobilization sparked protests and led to a mass exodus of Russians fleeing the draft. Since then, the Kremlin has shifted its recruitment efforts toward volunteer soldiers, offering high wages to fill the ranks.

The latest troop boost follows a recent incursion by Ukrainian forces into Russia’s southern Kursk region , marking the first foreign invasion of Russian territory since World War II . Russian officials have also reported ongoing efforts to push back Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbas region, where fighting has intensified in recent months.

While Moscow has not disclosed official casualty figures, reports suggest that personnel shortages have been a key challenge for the Russian military. Despite the increase in manpower, the conflict shows no signs of stopping.

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