Putin Orders Increase in Troop Numbers to 1.5 Million Active Soldiers

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a boost of Moscow’s army to 1.5 million active soldiers. He signed a decree on Monday increasing the number of active troops by 180,000, making the Russian army the second largest in the world. This comes amid increasing militarization during the Kremlin’s Ukraine offensive, with Putin ordering a troop boost for the third time since February 2022. Putin emphasized the importance of ensuring that armed forces are manned with well-trained personnel during a meeting with defense officials. Russia restructured its military districts earlier this year, forming the Moscow and Leningrad military districts in response to tensions with the West.