Putin Orders Russian Army Expansion to 1.5 Million Troops

The increase, set to take effect in December, is aimed at addressing perceived threats from NATO and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to expand the Russian army by 180,000 troops, bringing the total to 1.5 million active servicemen.
This expansion will make Russia's military the second largest in the world, trailing only China.
The decree, which will take effect on December 1, 2024, is the third such increase since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Kremlin officials cite growing threats from NATO and instability along Russia's borders as the primary reasons for the expansion.
Experts question whether Russia can afford the financial burden of sustaining such a large military force amid ongoing economic challenges.