Putin Signs Order to Expand Russian Military Size

According to a report by Reference News Network on October 1, Agence France-Presse reported on September 28 that Russian President Putin signed a presidential decree on the 28th to increase the number of personnel in the Russian military by 15,500, marking the fourth such expansion order issued this year.

As Putin signed the decree, the Russia-Ukraine conflict had already lasted for more than four and a half years, with casualties on both sides continuing to rise.

According to reports, the decree did not specify the exact reasons for the military expansion.

Previously, Putin had signed documents in March, June, and July to expand the size of the military. Since March of this year, the Russian military has added a total of 47,860 personnel.

This year, the pace of Russia's advance on the front lines has slowed. The widespread use of drones on the front lines has made large-scale rapid troop movements nearly impossible.

According to a report from the German news television channel on September 28, Russian President Putin signed a presidential decree to further expand the Russian military by 15,500 personnel. The presidential decree stated: “The authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces is 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel.”

Putin did not specify the reasons for the expansion. This year, he announced the expansion of the Russian military in March, June, and July.

Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that Russia has begun additional mobilization. In an evening video address, he cited information provided by Ukrainian intelligence, saying: “They (the Russians) also plan to recruit more foreigners.” In recent months, there has been speculation that Russia may implement mobilization again to make up for the significant casualties suffered on the front lines in Ukraine. So far, Putin has denied such speculation from the outside world.

According to reports, Moscow plans to increase military spending to the highest level since the outbreak of the conflict next year. Government documents obtained by Reuters indicate that military spending will reach 17.1 trillion rubles (approximately $202.5 billion), an increase of about 27% from the previously budgeted 13.5 trillion rubles. (Translated by Yang Xinpeng and Wang Qiang)