Over 2.4 Million, Including 1.5 Million Active-Duty Personnel

Key Points:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree increasing the size of Russia’s armed forces to 2.4 million personnel, including 1.5 million active-duty members, marking the fourth such decree this year and allocating necessary federal budget funds.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia has begun additional mobilization, including deploying over 8,000 North Korean troops to Russia, with plans for up to 50,000 more, highlighting Russia’s increasing recruitment of foreign fighters.
• Since March, Russia’s authorized military size has increased by nearly 50,000 personnel, amid Ukrainian intelligence reports of preparations for large-scale mobilization in 2026-2027, although the Kremlin denies any new mobilization plans.
• Concerns are rising among NATO and EU member states about potential escalation beyond Ukraine’s borders, with warnings of possible hybrid or direct attacks on NATO countries supporting Ukraine, especially Poland and Lithuania.
• Russian officials continue to deny plans for broader conflict while making aggressive statements toward neighboring countries; Lithuania has responded by reinforcing infrastructure protection and preparing evacuation plans amid heightened tensions.