Official reports from the Russian Ministry of Defense or credible international defense monitoring organizations

Putin Orders Russian Army Expansion to 2.39 Million Active Duty Personnel

Sep 16, 2024, 05:16 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to increase the size of the Russian Armed Forces to 2,389,130 active duty personnel, including 1.5 million military personnel. This marks an increase of 180,000 troops from the previous level set in December 2023, when the army size was raised to 2,209,130 personnel, including 1,320,000 military personnel. The decree, which will come into effect on December 1, 2024, aims to bolster Russia's military capabilities amid ongoing conflicts and perceived threats along its borders. The expansion will make the Russian military the second largest in the world, only behind China.