Amid the ongoing war with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a bold move by boosting the Russian military with an additional 170,000 workers. This executive order comes as a response to the war in Ukraine and “NATO expansion,” marking a significant increase in military personnel by 15%.
With the total number of military personnel reaching 2.2 million individuals, including 1.32 million military workers, Putin’s decision has sparked a surge in the staffing levels of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The president’s office emphasized the need for appropriate funding to cover this increase, ensuring the Ministry of Defense is fully supported from the federal budget.
In light of the continuous expansion of NATO and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the defense ministry defended the order, stating that it does not signify a significant new mobilization. Despite the need for Russian military and involved bodies to fill the shortages within their ranks, this executive order is not expected to lead to a major draft of civilians.
While a “partial mobilization” was previously ordered in September 2022, the defense ministry made it clear that there are no plans for a substantial increase in the conscription of individuals for mandatory military service, dispelling any concerns of potential mobilization.
