Russia Expands Army to 2.4 Million, Largest Since Soviet Era

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the country's total military personnel to nearly 2.4 million. The move, announced Monday, raises the official size of Russia's armed forces by 180,000 troops. This is the third expansion since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022. The new total includes both active duty soldiers and civilian support staff. The decree takes effect immediately. The Kremlin has not publicly explained the reason for the latest increase. However, the move signals Moscow's preparation for a prolonged conflict.