Putin Signs Decree Increasing Russian Armed Forces to 2.4 Million Personnel

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on September 28, 2026, to increase the size of Russia's armed forces to 2.4 million, including 1.5 million active-duty military personnel. This expansion comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of additional Russian mobilization and the expanded use of North Korean troops, with NATO bracing for possible escalation.