Putin Orders Russian Army to Increase Troop Size to 1.55M

Key Points:

• President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order increasing the Russian military by 15,500 troops, raising active-duty personnel to 1.55 million and total military strength to 2,441,630.
• Since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia has expanded its military multiple times, adding 52,500 new positions this year, mostly active-duty roles rather than civilian support.
• Ukraine has accused Russia of preparing for another mass mobilization following recent parliamentary elections, with President Zelensky alleging an ongoing surge in troop recruitment, though Putin denies these claims.
• Military experts suggest a new large-scale draft is unlikely due to the existing partial mobilization order from September 2022 and logistical challenges associated with a mass call-up.
• Independent media like The Moscow Times face increasing repression in Russia, with recent government actions labeling it as an "undesirable" organization, threatening journalistic freedom and staff safety.