Putin Orders Further Increase in Size of Russian Army

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a further increase in the size of the country's army, boosting the number of active service members more than four-and-a-half years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The presidential decree, which was published Monday on Russia's official legal information database, will put the size of Russia's armed forces at 2,441,630, including 1,550,500 active servicemen.

The move, which raises the number of active troops by 15,500, is the fourth order of its kind this year and comes as both countries sustained heavy losses. The Kremlin did not give a reason for the decision.

Analysts widely expected Russia to implement some form of mobilization after the State Duma election earlier this month, a prospect that is unpopular within Russia.

Russia's ruling party, United Russia, won a record number of seats in the vote, election officials said on Sept. 25, a result that was all but predetermined in the country's tightly controlled political system.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Russia has effectively started a fresh wave of military mobilization, estimating that there are currently more than 8,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory.

"In addition, preparations are underway to deploy another 10,000 troops – they are being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia," Zelenskyy said via social media.

"In return, Russia is paying, among other things, with technology: production of Shahed-type attack drones has been established in North Korea with Russian technical support," he added.

During a meeting in China's capital last year, Putin thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for sending troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine, saying they fought "courageously and heroically."