Paul Tucker
Updated on: October 12, 2024 6:37 am GMT
In a significant escalation of military ambitions, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to increase the size of the Russian military by 180,000 troops, bringing the total personnel to nearly 2.4 million. This development follows recent Ukrainian incursions into Russian-held territory and comes as the Kremlin aims to strengthen its military capabilities in the ongoing conflict that began in February 2022.
Expansion of the Russian Armed Forces
Putin’s decree, published Monday, marks the third expansion of military personnel since the onset of the war. According to the official statement, the increase will take effect in December 2023. The intended boost aims to bolster the number of combat-ready troops while addressing Russia’s military staffing needs amid significant battlefield challenges.
- Total personnel increase: 180,000 troops
- New total personnel: 2.4 million (includes 1.5 million combat troops)
- Effective date of increase: December 2023
Context of the Military Buildup
This latest military expansion follows a series of events that have heightened tensions on both sides. In September, Ukraine conducted a surprise offensive that crossed into the southern Kursk region of Russia, marking a notable foreign intervention on Russian soil since World War II. This offensive has prompted a swift response from Russia, which has been actively working to repel Ukrainian forces and regain control of strategic territories.
Last week, as part of its military strategy, Russia intensified operations to push Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region and is making slow but steady advances toward Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.
Past Military Mobilization Efforts
Since 2022, Putin has ordered several significant changes to troop levels in response to battlefield dynamics:
- August 2022: An increase of 137,000 troops, raising military personnel to around 2 million (including 1.15 million combat troops).
- September 2022: Initiation of “partial mobilization,” which allowed the government to conscript military-experienced citizens and call up reservists.
- December 2022: Another official expansion of 170,000 troops, leading to a total of 1.32 million active-duty personnel.
These mobilization efforts have led to significant public dissent within Russia, with protests erupting, especially in regions with high rates of recruitment. After the last mobilization effort, many citizens fled to neighboring countries, seeking to avoid military service.
Casualty Figures and Implications
The human cost of the conflict remains a sensitive and opaque topic for the Russian military. The last official casualty figure from the Ministry of Defense indicated 5,937 Russian troops had been killed, but this data has not been updated. Estimates from Ukrainian and Western intelligence sources suggest that the actual losses may be significantly higher.
- Estimated Russian casualties according to various sources:
– Ukrainian military: 616,300
– United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense: over 610,000
Analysis from military experts suggests that Russia’s daily casualty rate may remain elevated, averaging more than 1,000 soldiers lost per day as the conflict continues to unfold.
Conclusion
The news about sending more troops is a big deal in the fight between Russia and Ukraine. Both countries are getting ready for more battles, and this could change how people feel about the war in Russia. As more soldiers are hurt and land arguments keep going, other countries are paying close attention to what happens next. These choices could affect the area for a long time.
