Putin signs decree increasing Russian military personnel count

On September 28, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree authorizing an increase of 15,500 active-duty personnel in the Russian armed forces. This action marks the fourth such increase within the year 2026, following similar administrative orders issued in March, June, and July.

The new mandate brings the total target for military personnel to 1,550,500, with the overall number of staff, including civilian and auxiliary roles, reaching 2,441,630. Since March 2026, these cumulative measures have added 47,860 combat roles to the military structure. The decree itself offers no specific explanation for the expansion or details regarding how these positions will be filled.

While the Kremlin has not clarified the strategic intent, observers note that the move comes amid a long-running conflict where both Russia and Ukraine face significant personnel attrition. Moscow’s operational momentum has faced challenges this year due to the widespread use of combat drones on the front lines, which complicates troop maneuvers. Despite warnings from Ukraine that Russia may be preparing for a new mobilization, President Putin has previously dismissed these claims as disinformation.