British intelligence estimates Putin's ability to increase army by 180,000
Putin is unlikely to increase the army by 180,000 (Getty Images)
Vladimir Putin's plan to increase the size of his army by 180,000 personnel is expected to face difficulties due to heavy losses in Ukraine and recruitment problems, citing the UK Ministry of Defence.
Putin signed a decree on September 16 to increase the number of Russian armed forces by 180,000 to a total of 1.5 million, effective from December 2024. This is the third such decree Putin has signed to expand the Russian armed forces since the start of the war with Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia’s push to expand its military is well known. In December 2022, then-Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu called for an increase in the number of Russian troops to 1.5 million.
British intelligence suggests that Russia will likely increase the number and size of its ground forces units to accommodate most of the additional 180,000 personnel.
"Despite the stated intent to expand its force, it is likely that this ambition will be hampered by continued heavy losses sustained in the conflict against Ukraine and recruitment challenges," the UK Ministry of Defence says.
Costly war
According to British intelligence, the war in Ukraine has become an expensive endeavor for Russia, particularly in terms of personnel. Since the start of the conflict, Russia has lost 610,000 individuals (killed and wounded).
Recruitment rates for Russian military personnel in 2024 have slowed compared to the levels achieved in 2023. This has led the Russian Ministry of Defence to increase recruitment bonuses in August 2024. Payments to service members amounted to about 8% of federal expenditure for the year up to June 2024.
Putin’s decree mandates an increase in the Russian army’s staffing levels by 180,000 to 2,389,000 total personnel, with the number of service members rising to 1.5 million.
