Putin Signs Decree Adding 15,500 Russian Troops

By Anna Florish Austin, TX · CONFLICT (WAR) DESK

Published Updated 3 min read

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a Sunday decree increasing active military personnel by 15,500. The order brings the total authorized force size to 2,441,630 members.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Sunday increasing the authorized personnel strength of the Russian armed forces. The order increases the number of active troops by 15,500.

The decree sets the total size of the Russian armed forces at 2,441,630, including 1,550,500 active servicemen. This is the fourth such order issued by Putin this year.

Previous orders expanding the military were issued in March, June, and July. The four orders have added a total of 47,860 military personnel since March.

In March 2026, Putin issued a decree increasing the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces to 2,391,770 personnel, including 1,535,000 active-duty military personnel, marking the first of four such increases this year. In July 2026, Putin increased the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces to 2,426,130 personnel, including 1,535,000 active service members, prior to the latest increase of 15,500 troops on September 28, 2026.

The Kremlin did not provide a reason for the decision. The Russian Ministry of Defense has been instructed to allocate corresponding federal budget funds to support the expanded military force, as outlined in the executive order signed by Putin on September 28, 2026.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia has effectively started a fresh wave of military mobilization. He said preparations are underway to deploy another 10,000 troops – they are being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia.

Zelenskyy estimated that there are currently more than 8,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory. He said Russia is paying, among other things, with technology: production of Shahed-type attack drones has been established in North Korea with Russian technical support.

Putin thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for sending troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine during a meeting in China's capital last year. Putin said the North Korean troops fought "courageously and heroically." North Korea has sent an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 soldiers to support Russia since 2024, according to Ukrainian and South Korean estimates.

Andrei Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, described the expansion as a technical decision rather than a strategic shift. He said this is mostly a technical decision rather than a strategic shift and that another 15,000 will not change the conflict dynamics.

Why It Matters

The decree represents the latest in a series of expansions to the Russian armed forces in 2026, bringing the total authorized personnel to over 2.4 million. The move comes as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict remain stalled and civilian casualties continue in Ukraine.

Analysts offer differing interpretations of the strategic intent behind the increase, with some viewing it as a technical adjustment and others linking it to broader geopolitical tensions. The involvement of North Korean troops and technology transfers adds another layer to the international dimensions of the conflict.

Timeline

Russia's ruling party, United Russia, won a record number of seats in the State Duma election earlier this month, according to election officials. The official record states that the authorised personnel strength of the Russian armed forces is set at 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel, as per the decree signed by Putin on September 28, 2026.

What's New

The Kyiv City State Administration reported that Russian attacks on Monday killed two people and injured 26 in Kyiv, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, showing the ongoing impact of Russian military actions on civilian populations.

At least 10 people were killed and more than 80 wounded in Russian attacks across Ukraine on Monday. Putin has led Russia for 26 years, during which the country has been at war for 21 years, including the Second Chechen War (1999–2009) and the 2014 conflict in Ukraine, according to a European Parliament report.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the description of United Russia. Europarl.europa.eu states that United Russia, Russia's ruling party since 2001, is described as a 'party of power' that supports Putin's policies and holds 70% of seats in the State Duma as of 2022, according to reports.

fact_check Facts

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Sunday increasing the authorized personnel strength of the Russian armed forces.
The decree sets the total size of the Russian armed forces at 2,441,630, including 1,550,500 active servicemen.
This is the fourth such order issued by Putin this year.
Previous orders expanding the military were issued in March, June, and July.
The Kremlin did not provide a reason for the decision.
Source: doi.org
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia has effectively started a fresh wave of military mobilization.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy estimated that there are currently more than 8,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
"In return, Russia is paying, among other things, with technology: production of Shahed-type attack drones has been established in North Korea with Russian technical support."
North Korea has sent an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 soldiers to support Russia since 2024, according to Ukrainian and South Korean estimates.
Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv
Russian attacks on Kyiv on Monday killed two people and injured 26, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
At least 10 people were killed and more than 80 wounded in Russian attacks across Ukraine on Monday.
Russian drones struck the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv on Monday.
Attacks were also reported in Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and other parts of Ukraine on Monday.
Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv switched to remote classes until at least October 16 due to the deteriorating security situation.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly last week, Zelenskyy warned that the coming winter will be painful for Russia if a truce cannot be agreed to in the coming weeks.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine's government also fears another difficult winter.
Andrei Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council
Andrei Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, described the expansion as a technical decision rather than a strategic shift.
Andrei Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council
"This is mostly a technical decision rather than a strategic shift. It is technical in the sense that another 15,000 will not change the conflict dynamics."
Alexey D Muraviev, Professor and Senior Research Fellow in Defence and Strategic Studies at Edith Cowan University
Muraviev stated that Putin’s decision has more to do with longer-term strategic considerations such as Moscow’s tensions with NATO and the increased possibility of a major open conflict between Russia and NATO.

menu_bookBackground & Sources

Context and data our newsroom added to the originating report, with the primary source for each item shown below it.

Putin thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for sending troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine during a meeting in China's capital last year.
Putin said the North Korean troops fought "courageously and heroically."
Russia's ruling party, United Russia, won a record number of seats in the State Duma election earlier this month, according to election officials.
Diplomatic talks to find a peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine war have stalled in recent months.
Ukraine's military stated that Russian losses in 2026 had surpassed 300,000.
Ukraine's military estimated that Moscow suffered more than 20,000 casualties in the first half of September alone.
Vladimir Putin has led Russia for 26 years, during which the country has been at war for 21 years, including the Second Chechen War (1999-2009) and the 2014 conflict in Ukraine, according to a European Parliament report.
Source: europarl.europa.eu
The official record states that the authorised personnel strength of the Russian armed forces is set at 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel, as per the decree signed by Vladimir Putin on September 28, 2026.
United Russia, Russia's ruling party since 2001, is described as a 'party of power' that supports Vladimir Putin's policies and holds 70% of seats in the State Duma as of 2022, according to Wikipedia.
Source: europarl.europa.eu
The Russian Ministry of Defence has been instructed to allocate corresponding federal budget funds to support the expanded military force, as outlined in the executive order signed by Putin on September 28, 2026.
United Russia, the ruling political party of Russia, has been actively involved in supporting the military and maintaining public morale during the war in Ukraine, as stated by President Putin during a party congress.
In March 2026, Putin issued a decree increasing the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces to 2,391,770 personnel, including 1,535,000 active-duty military personnel, marking the first of four such increases this year.
In July 2026, Putin increased the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces to 2,426,130 personnel, including 1,535,000 active service members, prior to the latest increase of 15,500 troops on September 28, 2026.
The Russian Ministry of Defence is responsible for allocating federal budget funds to implement the military expansion, as stated in a Kyiv Post report citing TASS.

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