Russia increases military personnel and reactivates construction troops

Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces for the third time this year. Effective August 1, 2026, the total military establishment will rise to 2,426,130 personnel, including 1,535,000 soldiers. This represents an increase of 25,000 military positions and 27,000 total staff roles compared to previous limits.

A central component of this expansion is the reactivation of military construction troops, a formation used during the Soviet era. These specialized units are tasked with building and maintaining military infrastructure, including barracks, warehouses, roads, airfields, and technical facilities. This move signals a shift from relying on private contractors back to a militarized construction model.

The expansion appears strategically focused on Russia's northwestern directions, particularly near the borders of NATO members such as Finland and the Baltic states. Satellite imagery already indicates the development of new logistics hubs, ammunition depots, and hangars, as well as the modernization of older Soviet-era garrisons to support long-term military deployment.