Brief

Putin orders 15,500 new soldiers as Ukraine war stalls

The decree raises Russia’s authorised military strength to 2,441,630, adding 15,500 personnel amid mounting losses and a slowdown in battlefield advances.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:00:09 GMT

On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that expands the authorised size of the armed forces by 15,500 personnel, bringing the total authorised strength to 2,441,630 units, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The move follows a pattern of four expansions this year, which have added 47,860 personnel since March, as the front in Ukraine has stalled after more than four and a half years of fighting.

Putin’s order comes as Russia faces mounting human and material losses and limited territorial gains. Ukraine’s military said earlier this month that Russian losses in 2026 had surpassed 300,000, and estimated that Moscow suffered more than 20,000 casualties in the first half of September.

Andrei Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, described the expansion as a "technical decision" rather than a strategic shift, saying it would not change the conflict dynamics. "This is mostly a technical decision rather than a strategic shift. It is technical in the sense that another 15,000 will not change the conflict dynamics," he told Al Jazeera.

Ukraine expert Olena Halushka, a board member at the Anti‑Corruption Action Centre in Kyiv, said the decree should be viewed in the context of Russia’s continuing efforts to expand manpower for a protracted war. "Putin’s latest decree is … likely not the last, and should be viewed in the context of Russia’s continuing efforts to expand the manpower available for a protracted war," she added.

Russia’s advances have slowed sharply this year, with widespread use of drones making large concentrations and rapid movements of troops increasingly dangerous. The Kremlin has not publicly given a reason for the latest expansion, but the order comes amid reports that Ukraine has repeatedly accused Moscow of preparing another mobilisation – a claim Putin has dismissed as Ukrainian "disinformation".

Key facts

Decree adds 15,500 personnel to authorised Russian armed forces (aljazeera.com)
Authorised strength set at 2,441,630 units (aljazeera.com)
Four expansions this year have added 47,860 personnel since March (aljazeera.com)
Andrei Kortunov described expansion as a technical decision (aljazeera.com)
Olena Halushka said the decree is likely not the last (aljazeera.com)

Background

Earlier Felo coverage has highlighted the political context of Russia’s war effort, including the United Russia campaign ad featuring NHL star Alex Ovechkin and the State Duma election that reinforced Kremlin control amid the conflict.

Timeline

2026-09-15 — Alex Ovechkin joins United Russia campaign ad
2026-09-18 — Russians vote in State Duma election
2026-09-22 — Ukraine drone attacks hit Russian refineries

Why it matters

The expansion reflects Russia’s attempt to sustain a protracted conflict amid battlefield stalemate and growing domestic pressure, potentially affecting regional security dynamics.