Putin Orders Russian Army to Increase Troop Size to 1.55M

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1. 1h ago

   Putin Orders Russian Army Expansion to 1.55 Million Active Troops

   Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order expanding the active-duty military to 1.55 million servicemen by adding 15,500 new troops. The decree represents the fourth military expansion ordered by Moscow this year as the war in Ukraine continues. Simultaneously, Ukrainian leadership reported that North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 troops to support Russian operations. Monday's order from the Kremlin did not explicitly state the reasoning behind the latest personnel increase.

   Why it matters

   The expansion comes as the conflict in Ukraine enters a fifth winter with ongoing fighting. Since launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Russian leadership has repeatedly raised military staffing levels to sustain operations. The addition of foreign troops alongside domestic expansion points to continued personnel pressures.

   What is confirmed

   • President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order on Monday raising the total number of active-duty servicemen in the Russian military to 1.55 million.
   • The latest decree increases the strength of the Russian military by 15,500 troops.
   • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 troops to Russia.
   • The move marks the fourth military expansion ordered by Russia this year.

   Still unconfirmed

   • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the Kremlin of conducting a mass mobilisation.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of the deployment timeline for the reported 10,000 North Korean troops to Russia
   • Official statements from Moscow detailing the implementation and timeline of the latest troop increase
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. pravda.com.ua — Putin signs decree increasing size of Russian armed forces
   2. Reuters — Ukraine's Zelenskiy says North Korea prepares to deploy another 10,000 troops to Russia
   3. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — Zelenskyy Warns of New Russian Mobilization and 10,000 North Korean Troop Deployment
   4. The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: Putin orders army expansion as Zelenskyy says more North Koreans to be deployed in Russia
   5. themoscowtimes.com — Putin Orders Russian Army to Increase Troop Size to 1.55M
   6. CNBC — Putin orders army expansion as Zelenskyy warns Russia preparing to deploy 10,000 North Korean troops
   7. The Daily Beast — Desperate Putin Signs Major Order After Battlefield Humiliation
   8. Al Jazeera — Why has Putin added 15,000 new soldiers to Russia’s army?
   9. www.aljazeera.com — Why has Putin added 15,000 new soldiers to Russia’s army? | Russia-Ukraine war News
   10. www.cnbc.com — Putin expands Russia army; Zelenskyy warns of more North ...
   11. The Times of India — Russia raises active troop numbers to 1.55 million as Zelensky accuses Kremlin of mass mobilisation
   12. www.themoscowtimes.com — Putin Orders Russian Army to Increase Troop Size to 1.55M
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