Putin Boosts Russian Military: 180,000 More Troops Ordered

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has issued a decree to expand the country's military forces by 180,000 personnel. This decision, set to take effect on December 1, 2024, will increase the total number of Russian military personnel to approximately 2.4 million, with 1.5 million active troops.

This expansion follows a previous increase in December 2023, which set the military personnel count at 2.2 million. The Russian government is tasked with providing the necessary funding for this significant boost in manpower.

Russia's military, the fifth-largest globally by active personnel, has been engaged in operations in Ukraine for over two years. In June 2024, Putin stated that nearly 700,000 troops were involved in what the Kremlin terms a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

The Russian armed forces, formed in 1992 after the Soviet Union's dissolution, have undergone significant reforms and modernization efforts since 2008. They maintain a mixed conscript-contract system, with conscription terms lasting one year.

"Control has been reestablished over two additional villages in the Kursk region, previously held by Ukrainian forces."

Russian troops have been making incremental progress in eastern Ukraine. However, a shortage of military personnel has been cited as a factor in Ukraine's recent incursion into Russia's Kursk region, which began on August 6, 2024.

To address manpower needs, Russian authorities have focused on recruiting volunteer soldiers, offering attractive wages. This approach follows the mobilization of 300,000 reservists in the fall of 2022, which led to domestic unrest and prompted many Russians to leave the country to avoid deployment.

Russia's military budget, the fourth-largest worldwide as of 2023, supports various branches including Ground Forces, Navy, and Aerospace Forces. The country also maintains the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons and has developed advanced technologies such as hypersonic missiles.

While expanding its conventional forces, Russia has also been actively involved in cyber warfare and information operations, reflecting the evolving nature of modern conflicts. The Russian military's activities have not been without controversy, as it has faced accusations of human rights violations in various conflict zones.

As tensions persist in the region, this military expansion underscores Russia's commitment to maintaining a strong defense posture and its strategic interests in what it considers its "near abroad."