Putin adds 15,500 troops to Russian army

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday increasing the size of the Russian army by 15,500 troops, the fourth such order this year.

The decree set the authorised strength of Russia's armed forces at 2,441,630 units, including 1,550,500 military personnel. It did not give a reason for the increase.

Putin had previously signed documents increasing the size of the army in March, June and July. The combined increase since March amounts to 47,860 soldiers.

The order comes during the war in Ukraine, where both Russia and Ukraine are suffering mounting casualties. Russia's battlefield advances have slowed this year, as widespread drone use on the front has made swift, large-scale troop movements almost impossible.

Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of preparing another military call-up, a suggestion Putin has called Ukrainian “disinformation.” Putin last ordered a mobilisation of reservists in 2022 after military setbacks in Ukraine.