Russia: Putin raises authorized military personnel to 1.55 million

Vladimir Putin signed a decree on September 28, 2026, increasing the authorized number of military personnel in Russia to 1,550,500, a rise of 15,500 from the previous figure. The total personnel, including civilians, now reaches 2,441,630. The decree does not specify how the additional positions will be filled or whether a general mobilization is planned. This is the fourth increase since March, following losses sustained since the start of the conflict with Ukraine.