Putin gave the Russian army instructions to increase 170,000 soldiers, bringing its overall size to almost 1.32 million

 Putin gave the Russian army instructions to increase 170,000 soldiers, bringing its overall size to almost 1.32 million

Putin gave the Russian army instructions to increase 170,000 soldiers, bringing its overall size to almost 1.32 million

In the midst of the lengthy crackdown in Ukraine, Putin authorized an increase of 170,000 soldiers, raising the total to 1.32 million, bringing Russia's total military strength to 2.2 million.

In the midst of the lengthy crackdown in Ukraine, Putin authorized an increase of 170,000 soldiers, raising the total to 1.32 million, bringing Russia's total military strength to 2.2 million.

As Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine enters its 22nd month, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order on Friday ordering the country's military to raise the number of soldiers by around 170,000 to a total of 1.32 million. Putin's order was announced by the Kremlin on Friday and became operative right away. With 1,320,000 conscripts, this raises the overall number of Russian military troops to almost 2,200,000. Putin's order was announced by the Kremlin on Friday and became operative right away. With 1,320,000 conscripts, this raises the overall number of Russian military troops to almost 2,200,000.

Since 2018, the army has expanded in this manner twice. Putin had already planned a 137,000 troop increase in August 2022, bringing the army's size to almost 2 million people and 1,150,000 soldiers. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the rise will occur gradually by recruiting more volunteers and that the directive does not imply any major growth in recruitment.

The ministry justified the troop increase by pointing to NATO's expansion and special military operations in Ukraine. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the rise will occur gradually by recruiting more volunteers and that the directive does not imply any major growth in recruitment. The ministry justified the troop increase by pointing to NATO's expansion and special military operations in Ukraine. In the vicinity of Russia's borders, the Combined Armed Forces of NATO are expanding, and more attack weapons and air defense systems are being installed.

The statement said, "NATO's strategic nuclear capabilities are becoming more capable. According to the ministry, Russia's military have been given a boost in reaction to the hostile actions of the NATO group. (AP) According to the ministry, Russia's military have been given a boost in reaction to the hostile actions of the NATO group. (AP)