President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered the regular size of the Russian army to be increased by 180,000 troops to 1.5 million active servicemen in a move that would make it the second largest in the world after China's.
In a decree published on the Kremlin's website, Putin ordered the overall size of the armed forces to be increased to 2.38 million people, of which he said 1.5 million should be active servicemen.
According to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a leading military think tank, such an increase would see Russia leapfrog the United States and India in terms of the number of active combat soldiers it has at its disposal and be second only to China in size. The IISS said Beijing has just over 2 million active duty service personnel.
The move, the third time Putin has expanded the army's ranks since sending his military into Ukraine in February 2022, comes as Russian forces push forward in eastern Ukraine on parts of a vast 1,000 km (627-mile) frontline and try to eject Ukrainian forces from Russia's Kursk region.
Here are the top political news stories for today.
A 3 day "special military operation" has become quicksand for the Russian military. Draining what is left of Russia's young men. Already facing a demographic disaster, Putin plunged into a reckless war. Putin will be replaced, soon.
@7G3GHNGLibertarian2yrs2Y
What you’re saying is you want war with Russia . The question is, why do you expect Ukrainians to do it for you. Why don’t you go over there and use our weapons at the front lines? They pay mercenaries. You can use the money, or no, you’re just a talker
Russia invaded Ukraine and not NATO. It is up to the Ukraine to decide when they want peace. We are spending just $80 billion dollars a year for the weapons we give Ukraine. Most of that is spent in 6 states in America. I don't consider it a American war because no Americans are dying in this war. Russia has been threating war with America since the 1950's. This is not the first time America has given weapons to fight against Russia. 1980's and the Taliban. Russia lost that war also. That did not go great for America after they run Russia out but it is what we do.
If the war continues to drain Russia’s resources and manpower, Putin might face serious pressure to step down.
Personnel numbers don't matter in the 21st century. Technology matters. One remotely operated missile can take out an entire regiment.
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