Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed a significant increase in military personnel, adding 180,000 troops to the ranks. This new directive, announced by the Kremlin on Monday, marks the third major expansion since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The troop increase will elevate Russia’s total military force to nearly 2.4 million, including 1.5 million active-duty soldiers. This new force structure is set to be in place by December.
Strategic Context
The troop expansion comes in response to escalating tensions on the battlefield. Last month, Ukraine launched a bold attack into Russia’s southern Kursk region, marking the first foreign incursion into Russian territory since World War II. In retaliation, Russia has ramped up its efforts to push Ukrainian forces out of Kursk and is advancing towards the critical Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donbas region.
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Historical Context of Expansions
This recent order is part of a series of military augmentations initiated by Putin. In August 2022, he ordered an increase of 137,000 troops, boosting the total to just over 2 million, including 1.15 million active soldiers. Following a successful Ukrainian offensive in Kharkiv, Putin implemented a partial mobilization in September 2022, which required conscription of individuals with military experience and activated reservists.
Effects of Mobilization
The partial mobilization sparked a significant response, with many Russians fleeing to neighboring countries such as Georgia. The mobilization also led to widespread protests, especially in ethnic minority regions heavily targeted by recruitment drives. The mobilization was halted in November 2023 after reaching the target of 300,000 recruits.
Additional Troop Increase
In December 2023, Putin further expanded the military by 170,000 troops, raising the total number of personnel to 1.32 million. This ongoing effort reflects Russia’s determination to strengthen its military presence amidst the conflict.
Casualty Reports
Casualty figures for the Russian military remain opaque. Official data last updated in September 2022 reported 5,937 troop deaths. However, estimates from Ukrainian and Western sources suggest significantly higher numbers. The General Staff of Ukraine’s military reports approximately 616,300 Russian casualties, while the UK’s Ministry of Defense estimates more than 610,000. According to recent assessments, “Russia’s casualty rate will likely continue to average above 1,000 a day throughout September 2024 as Russia continues operations on a wide front from Kursk in the north to Robotyne in the south.”
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