Putin signs decree adding 15,500 troops to Russian army

MOSCOW, Sept 29 — In a move to bolster the size of the Russian army, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday adding 15,500 troops to the military force, marking the fourth such order this year. The decision comes amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with both Russia and Ukraine reporting mounting casualties. However, the decree did not provide a specific reason for the troop increase.

According to the decree, the authorized personnel strength of the Russian armed forces is set at 2,441,630 units, including 1,550,500 military personnel. This is part of a series of orders signed by Putin since March, resulting in a combined increase of 47,860 soldiers.

Russia's battlefield advances have slowed this year, primarily due to the widespread use of drones on the frontlines, making large-scale troop movements challenging. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of preparing for another mobilization, a claim that Putin has labeled as Ukrainian "disinformation."

The last time Putin ordered a mobilization of reservists was in 2022, following a series of military setbacks on the battlefield in Ukraine. This latest troop increase appears to be another step in Putin's strategy to sustain Russia's military presence in Ukraine.