More than a year and a half after the start of his war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a new expansion of the size of his army. In the future, the number of armed forces will be increased to about 1.32 million, according to a decree published by the Kremlin on Friday.
That would mean a further increase of 170,000 contract soldiers and military personnel. Putin only ordered an expansion of Russia’s armed forces to 1.15 million men in the summer of 2022.
“Mobilization not planned”
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense immediately responded to public fears that a new wave of mobilization could be planned. “Mobilization is not planned,” the authority said. Instead, the focus is on Russian citizens who voluntarily join the military.
Russia has been waging war against neighboring Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Moscow itself has not provided information about deaths and injuries in its own ranks for a long time. However, many experts testify to Russia’s heavy losses. In the fall of 2022, Putin ordered a mobilization, calling up about 300,000 men to the front.
The measure caused real panic in parts of Russian society, and hundreds of thousands fled abroad. Since then, many fear that there could be a second wave of mobilization.
Zelensky concession to soldiers
On Friday evening, Zelensky promised the military a reform of the draft law. “Everyone in Ukraine understands that changes are needed in this area,” Zelensky said in his speech on Telegram. These would therefore influence the conditions for a possible demobilization of the frontline fighters. New potential recruits should also be the focus of new upcoming laws.
The reform announcement is seen as a concession to the soldiers, who have largely been deployed to the front without being relieved since Russia’s war of aggression began about 21 months ago. According to Zelensky, the solution to this comprehensive problem should be worked out by the military leadership and the Ministry of Defense and submitted to the General Staff for approval. The Ukrainian president spoke about some proposals that had already been made on Friday. However, he did not provide further details about the contents.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
