Putin Orders Fourth Army Expansion to 1.55M Troops Amid Ukraine War Stall

Russia expanded its military by 15,500 troops for the fourth time in 2026, bringing total strength to 1.55 million personnel, as battlefield advances have stalled and losses have mounted. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claimed Russia has begun additional mobilisation and is recruiting foreign fighters, including 8,000 North Korean soldiers already in Russia with 10,000 more being prepared. Russia's military spending is projected to reach €178 billion in 2027, a 27 percent increase.

Quick Facts

Putin signed decree increasing military strength by 15,500 troops
Fourth military expansion in 2026 (March, June, July, September)
Total of 47,860 troops added since March 2026
Ukraine reports 300,000+ Russian losses in 2026
Ukraine claims 8,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia with 10,000 more prepared

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on September 29 to increase the military's authorised strength by 15,500 personnel, bringing the total to 1.55 million active military personnel out of 2.44 million total armed forces. This marks the fourth such expansion in 2026, following increases in March, June, and July, with a combined addition of 47,860 troops since March. Putin did not publicly state a reason for the order.

The expansion comes as Russian battlefield advances have slowed significantly after more than four and a half years of conflict. Ukraine's military reported Russian losses exceeding 300,000 in 2026, with over 20,000 casualties in the first half of September alone—figures Al Jazeera could not independently verify. The widespread use of drones has made large troop concentrations and rapid movements increasingly difficult for both sides.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia has "already begun additional mobilisation" and is "expanding the scale of recruitment," using "various methods" including recruitment of foreign fighters. He cited intelligence reports indicating that more than 8,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, with another 10,000 being prepared for deployment. Zelenskyy added that Russia is paying North Korea partly through technology transfers and that Russian technical support has enabled North Korean production of Shahed attack drones. Putin has previously dismissed mobilisation reports as "utter nonsense" and Ukrainian "disinformation."

Russia's military expansion occurs alongside a significant increase in defence spending. Government documents obtained by Reuters show Russia plans 17.1 trillion rubles (approximately €178 billion) in military expenditure for 2027, a 27 percent increase from the originally budgeted 13.5 trillion rubles. The Russian government has doubled its projected budget deficit for 2026 to 3.2 percent of GDP (from 1.6 percent) and plans tax increases for 2027, including a new levy on metal and mining companies expected to raise around 200 billion rubles annually.

Analysts offered differing interpretations of the decree. Andrei Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, characterised the expansion as "mostly a technical decision rather than a strategic shift," noting that 15,000 additional troops would not substantially alter conflict dynamics. Ukraine expert Olena Halushka suggested the decree reflects Russia's effort to sustain a protracted war and may not be the last such expansion, citing Russia's failure to achieve stated objectives in eastern Ukraine.

Topics

Politics World Ukraine War

#mobilisation #North Korea soldiers #defence spending #Ukraine war #Russia military expansion #Putin decree #battlefield losses

Entities

Why This Matters

Russia's fourth military expansion in 2026 signals sustained mobilisation efforts amid reported battlefield stagnation and rising casualty figures; Ukraine claims North Korean troop involvement, a development with potential implications for conflict escalation and diplomatic responses. The planned 27% increase in 2027 military spending (€178 billion) and expanded budget deficit reflect a shift in fiscal priorities that may affect economic stability and international sanctions assessments. Analysts debate whether these measures represent tactical sustainment or indicate broader strategic intent, affecting battlefield calculations and international military-aid commitments.

Timeline & Sources

Sep 29, 2026

Wire

Putin signs decree for fourth military expansion, adding 15,500 troops

Sep 30, 2026

Wire

Zelenskyy publicly claims Russia has begun additional mobilisation and discloses North Korean troop presence

Jan 1, 2027

Wire

Projected year for planned 17.1 trillion ruble military spending and tax increases

Quick Facts

Topics

Entities

Why This Matters

Timeline & Sources

Related Signals

Sources