In a recent move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to increase the number of active military personnel to 1,550,500, adding 15,500 troops to the existing cap of 1,535,000 established in July. This decision comes as both Russian and Ukrainian forces experience rising casualties after more than four and a half years of conflict.
This new order marks the fourth expansion of the Russian army this year and the seventh since the onset of the large-scale war. The total size of the Russian Armed Forces, which includes civilian staff, now stands at 2,441,630 personnel.
Furthermore, Russia plans to allocate 17.1 trillion rubles (approximately $202.58 billion) for defense by 2027, an increase of about 27% over the initially projected budget of 13.5 trillion rubles. This will represent the largest defense budget since the beginning of the Ukraine war in 2022, as indicated by government documents reviewed by Reuters.
Warnings from Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported that Russia is initiating additional mobilizations, ramping up recruitment efforts and planning to enlist foreigners. Reports suggest that over 8,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed in Russia, with preparations underway to deploy another 10,000 soldiers who will undergo training before being sent to the front.
Since 2024, North Korea has dispatched between 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia’s military efforts, primarily stationed in the Kursk region to assist in repelling Ukrainian incursions.
Both Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un acknowledged for the first time in 2025 the deployment of North Korean forces to fight alongside Russia, referring to them as “heroes.” Zelensky asserts that Russia compensates North Korea for this assistance, including the provision of technology. In return for this support and with Russian technical assistance, North Korea has started producing Shahed-type attack drones.
Zelensky emphasized the global implications of this alliance, stating, “This is how evil expands, and how threats to life in one part of the world spread to others. This can only be overcome together. Today, many around the world have spoken out against this Russian terrorism and the cooperation with anyone who can enable further killings. This must be countered,” urging partners to increase sanctions on Moscow.
