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Putin's Military Expansion: A Strategic Move Amidst Growing Threats
In a bold strategic maneuver, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a significant expansion of the country's armed forces, aiming to transform it into the second-largest army globally. The Kremlin justifies this decision as a response to escalating threats along Russia's western borders and instability in the east.
Putin's directive, issued on Monday, entails increasing the regular army size by 180,000 troops, resulting in a formidable force of 1.5 million active servicemen. This move positions Russia's military might second only to China's, according to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the necessity of this expansion, citing the hostile environment on Russia's western borders and the instability in the east. "This demands appropriate measures," Peskov stated during a conference call with reporters.
This expansion marks the third instance of Putin bolstering the army's ranks since the Russian military's incursion into Ukraine in February 2022. Russian forces are currently making advances in eastern Ukraine along a vast 1,000-kilometer (627-mile) frontline and are attempting to dislodge Ukrainian forces from Russia's Kursk region.
Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of Russia's lower house of parliament's defense committee, explained that part of the rationale for the expansion is to establish new structures and military units to enhance security in Russia's northwest following Finland's accession to NATO.
Russia has also expressed concerns about the growing U.S.-backed militarization of Japan and potential plans to deploy U.S. missiles there.
Despite Russia's population being more than three times larger than Ukraine's and its successful recruitment of volunteers on lucrative contracts to fight in Ukraine, both sides have suffered heavy battlefield losses, with no end to the war in sight.
Putin had previously ordered two official increases in combat troop numbers, by 137,000 and 170,000, respectively, since 2022. Additionally, Russia mobilized over 300,000 soldiers in September and October 2022, prompting an exodus of draft-age men fleeing the country.
The Kremlin has assured that no new mobilization is planned for the immediate future, instead opting to continue relying on volunteers signing up to fight in Ukraine.
Dara Massicot, an expert on the Russian military at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, questioned Moscow's financial readiness for this expansion. Massicot wrote on X, "There are ways to staff a standing 1.5 million force, but the Kremlin will not like them if they are truly grappling with what that requires."
Massicot, who has authored a report on Russia's efforts to regenerate its army, suggested that Moscow might face unpopular and challenging decisions, such as expanding the draft size or altering the law to allow more women to serve in the military.
"Look for signs that this is a real initiative to recruit and expand, and not a kind of show to intimidate others. The current volunteer method is working but has strains. This expansion means more expense/strain," Massicot cautioned.