Putin Signs Decree Raising Authorized Strength of Russian Armed Forces

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a formal decree raising the authorized personnel strength of the Russian Armed Forces to 2,441,630. According to the decree published by Kremlin-aligned outlets: "The authorised number of personnel in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation shall be set at 2,441,630, including 1,550,500 active-duty military personnel." The executive order increases the overall size of the Russian military by 15,500 service members, an addition roughly equal to one full division. This is the fourth occasion this calendar year that Putin has expanded the military's authorized strength, after increases in March, June and late July. The steady buildup is taking place amid raised geopolitical tensions throughout Europe and the Baltic region. On September 25, Putin said Moscow had received information about alleged violations of civil rights affecting Russian speakers in the Baltic states, but he continued to say Russia is "not preparing" for a broader military conflict in Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly warned international allies that a significant danger remains of further Russian military aggression against European nations. Ukrainian intelligence services report that Moscow's General Staff is preparing to mobilize as many as 300,000 people each year to strengthen its operational reserves in addition to standard recruitment efforts.