Putin Orders Increase in Russian Troop Numbers to 1.5 Million

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a directive to increase the number of active military personnel by 180,000, bringing the total to 1.5 million. The decree, set to take effect on December 1, will make Russia's military the second largest globally, after China, according to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The overall size of the Russian armed forces will grow to 2.38 million.

This marks the third expansion of Russian military ranks since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The move comes as Russian forces continue their operations in eastern Ukraine and the Russian Kursk region.

While Russia has relied on recruiting volunteer soldiers, there are concerns about the financial implications of sustaining this increase in troop numbers. The expansion raises questions about the long-term impact on the country's defense budget and resources.