What's happened
On September 16, 2024, President Putin announced a significant increase in Russia's military personnel, raising the total to 2.38 million, including 1.5 million active troops. This marks the third expansion since the Ukraine invasion began in February 2022, as Russian forces continue their offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Business Insider UK, Putin's decree to increase military personnel is the third since the invasion began, with the latest expansion reflecting ongoing military needs in Ukraine. Analysts like Dara Massicot from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace express skepticism about Russia's ability to sustain such a large force, citing economic constraints and recruitment challenges. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has criticized proposals from Trump's running mate, JD Vance, suggesting that Ukraine should concede territory, which he argues could lead to further aggression from Russia. This highlights the complex interplay of military strategy and political rhetoric surrounding the conflict.
How we got here
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Russia has repeatedly expanded its military ranks to bolster its efforts. The latest decree aims to enhance troop numbers amid ongoing military operations in Ukraine, reflecting the Kremlin's commitment to sustaining its military presence.
Common question
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Why is Russia Increasing Its Military Personnel?
On September 16, 2024, President Putin announced a significant increase in Russia's military personnel, raising the total to 2.38 million, including 1.5 million active troops. This decision marks the third expansion since the Ukraine invasion began in February 2022. As tensions rise, many are left wondering what this means for global security and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Why is Russia Increasing Its Military Personnel Now?
On September 16, 2024, President Putin announced a significant increase in Russia's military personnel, raising the total to 2.38 million, including 1.5 million active troops. This decision marks the third expansion since the Ukraine invasion began in February 2022. As tensions continue to rise, many are left wondering about the implications of this military buildup and what it means for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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James David Vance is an American author and venture capitalist. He is best known for his memoir Hillbilly Elegy, about Appalachian values and their relation to the social problems of his hometown, which attracted significant media attention during the 201
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.