Vladimir Putin has triggered a seismic shift in Russia’s military with his new decree, bringing the size of the Russian Armed Forces to an unprecedented 2,389,130 personnel. This grandiose figure includes 1.5 million active military personnel, marking a dramatic strengthening of the country’s defense apparatus. Analysts agree that this move is not just an adjustment, but a crucial link in a grand strategic chain designed to strengthen Russia’s defense in the maelstrom of global threats.
The timing of this decision could not be better. Russia remains embroiled in a Special Military Operation (SMO), and pressure from NATO and its allies is intensifying. Putin emphasized that this increased military power is a direct response to evolving challenges and growing risks on the world stage.
Along with the decree, Putin instructed the government to allocate significant funds from the federal budget to support this colossal expansion. The specific size of the financial allocation remains a secret for now, but experts are raising eyebrows about the significant budgetary implications, especially given the strained state of the Russian economy.
This recent decree is far from an isolated event. Just last December, Putin had already increased the size of the armed forces to 1.32 million. Before the full-scale conflict of 2022, the Russian army was just above the 1 million mark — a stark contrast that clearly illustrates the dramatic change in the country’s military policy.
For the moment, the Russian Defense Ministry has remained silent on the new decree. Historically, however, the ministry has assured that this expansion will involve contract workers rather than conscripts — a strategy aimed at mitigating negative public sentiment associated with mobilization campaigns.
Clearly, this decree is a cornerstone in Putin’s broader strategy to strengthen Russia’s military power. The significant increase in the number of soldiers and officers reflects a seismic shift in Russia’s security policy, potentially laying the groundwork for even larger military actions in the future.