Putin signs decree to increase Russian armed forces by 15,500
Decree sets authorized strength at 2,441,630 but offers no explanation how new positions will be filled.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree yesterday increasing the authorized size of the Russian armed forces by 15,500 personnel.
The decree comes amid mounting casualties on both sides in a conflict that has now lasted more than four and a half years. It does not explain the reason for the increase or how the new positions will be filled.
Details from the decree and recent manpower changes
"The authorized strength of the Russian armed forces is established at 2,441,630 persons, of whom 1,550,500 are servicemen," the decree states. Similar decrees were issued in March, June and July of this year; since March the cumulative increase in personnel has been 47,860 servicemen.
Military analysts and observers note that Russian advances on the battlefield have slowed recently, while widespread use of drones on the front has complicated rapid, large-scale maneuvers.
Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of preparing a new mobilization; Putin has dismissed those claims as Ukrainian "disinformation." The last large mobilization of reservists ordered by Putin took place in 2022, after limited successes on the Ukrainian front.
Photo: press material from the event
