On 16 September 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to increase the size of the Russian military with an additional 180,000 personnel to 1.5 million in total coming into effect from December 2024.
As reported by the British Ministry of Defense and the British military intelligence agency, this is the third decree that has been signed by Putin to increase the size of the Russian military since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia’s aspiration to expand its military is well-established, analysts from the UK say. In December 2022, then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu called on the Russian forces to be enlarged to 1.5 million. Russia will likely increase the number and size of units in its ground forces to accommodate the majority of the additional 180,000 personnel.
However, British military intelligence argues that despite the stated intent of Russia to expand its force, it is likely that this ambition will be hampered by continued heavy losses sustained in the war against Ukraine, in addition to recruitment challenges.
Related:
- UK intel: Russian forces intensify offensive operations across entire frontline
- UK intel: Russia makes tactical gains near Donetsk’s Vuhledar, threatening further advances
- UK intel: Russian casualties remain high as capability constraints reduce ability to exploit tactical success
- UK intel: Russia creating volunteer units to counter Ukraine in Kursk Oblast while prioritizing Pokrovsk axis
- UK Intel: Despite alleged willingness for negotiations, Russia retains maximalist objectives against Ukraine
- UK intel: Russian average casualties in Ukraine drop, still exceed 1,000 per day