Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to expand Russia’s armed forces, adding 15,500 personnel to the active-duty roster. This decree elevates the total number of active-duty servicemen to 1,550,500, with the overall authorized strength of the military reaching 2,441,630 personnel.
This development is the fourth such increase in military strength ordered by Russia in 2026. Previous expansions were implemented in March, June, and July, cumulatively adding tens of thousands of positions to the military. Despite the significant buildup, the decree does not specify the reasons behind the latest increase in military personnel.
Amidst this expansion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that Russia is broadening its recruitment efforts through various channels. However, Russian officials have dismissed claims that a new large-scale mobilization is imminent. The country’s last partial mobilization was announced in September 2022.
The decree to increase the authorized size of the armed forces does not, in itself, signal a new mobilization effort. Nevertheless, the consistent growth of military capacity throughout the year highlights an ongoing commitment to strengthening Russia’s defense forces.