Vladimir Putin signs decree boosting Russian army personnel to 2.4 million

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree raising the total personnel of the Russian Armed Forces to 2,426,130, an increase of 27,000 from the previous level. The new figure, which includes 1,535,000 active-duty soldiers, will take effect on 1 August.

The decree follows an earlier June 2026 decision that set the force size at 2,399,130. It comes amid the ongoing Russia‑Ukraine war, with officials noting that over 700,000 Russian troops are already deployed in Ukraine. Russian defence spending now exceeds 6 % of GDP, supporting the continued enlargement of the military manpower pool.