Moscow increases Russian troops by 180K to 2.4M
Russian service members, who were involved in the country's military campaign in Ukraine, march in columns during a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 79th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2024. (Reuters Photo)
According to a report by Kyiv Post, Russian President Vladimir Putin has increased the size of the Russian military by 180,000 personnel, bringing the total to 2.39 million in response to the ongoing pressures of the war in Ukraine. Russia’s strategy to counter equipment shortages with increased manpower includes this expansion, slated to take effect in December 2024.
Key points
- Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the number of personnel in the Russian Armed Forces by 180,000, bringing the total to 2.39 million. This includes 1.5 million military personnel.
- The new increase will take effect in December 2024, marking significant growth compared to the previous decree in 2023, which set the total at 2.21 million.
Details
- Putin has expanded the military three times since the start of the war in Ukraine. In August 2022, the previous expansion raised the number of military personnel from 1.01 million to 1.33 million.
- The total personnel increased to 2.21 million in December 2023. The Russian Ministry of Defense attributed these increases to NATO expansion and threats from “Special Military Operation.”
- The Ministry has made it clear that volunteers, not mandatory conscription or mass mobilization, will fill this increase.
Why it matters?
Military and political expert Alexander Kovalenko pointed out that Russia faces ongoing logistical and equipment shortages in Ukraine, which have led to a greater need for more personnel. He warns that this strategy could turn the Russian military into a largely infantry-based force with inadequate technological support.
Kovalenko noted that Russia is struggling to recruit enough volunteers. Despite offering large financial incentives – such as 2 million rubles ($22,000) – these efforts have failed to attract sufficient recruits. “In the future, the process may become even more coercive, as few people are willing to join the army,” Kovalenko added.
Big picture
Putin’s decision to further expand the military highlights the growing cost of the war for Russia and the strain on its military strength. Experts warn that Russia may turn to more forceful methods to increase troop numbers in the future.
What to watch
Russia’s lagging voluntary recruitment raises the possibility of wider conscription measures. The impact of this expansion on Russia’s military strategy and the overall course of the war will be crucial to monitor.
