Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a further expansion of the country’s military to increase the number of active-duty soldiers, more than four-and-a-half years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to a presidential decree posted on Russia’s official legal information database on Monday, the size of Russia’s armed forces will be 2,441,630, including 1,550,500 active military personnel.
The move, which increases the number of active troops by 15,500, is the fourth order of its kind this year and comes amid heavy losses on both sides. The Kremlin did not give a reason for the decision.
Analysts widely expected Russia to carry out some kind of mobilization after the State Duma elections earlier this month, a prospect that was unpopular within Russia.
Russia’s ruling United Russia party won a record number of seats, election authorities announced on September 25, an outcome that was largely predetermined in the country’s tightly controlled political system.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that Russia had effectively begun a new wave of military mobilization, estimating that more than 8,000 North Korean troops were currently stationed on Russian territory.
“In addition, preparations are underway to send another 10,000 troops. They are being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia,” President Zelenskiy said via social media.
“In return, Russia has paid a price, especially in terms of technology. In North Korea, production of Shahed-type attack drones has been established with Russian technical assistance,” he added.
At talks in the Chinese capital last year, Putin thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for sending troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine, saying they fought “bravely and heroically.”
Two people were killed and 26 injured in a wave of Russian attacks on Kiev on Monday, Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced in a telegram.
