Putin expands Russian army to 1.55 million soldiers

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the size of Russia's active military forces by 15,500 soldiers, bringing the total to 1.55 million troops. The decree was signed without providing specific public justification. This expansion occurs amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russia continues military operations and faces international sanctions. Russia reportedly plans its highest military spending since the war began in 2027, with total defense expenditures projected at 50 trillion rubles over the next three years.