Russia is set to expand its military, calling on thousands more troops amid fears that the country is preparing for war with wider Europe. The expansion marks the fourth time Vladimir Putin has ordered the military to grow this year.
Russia's armed forces are now authorised to contain 2,441,630 personnel, which includes 1,550,500 active-duty military personnel. The armed forces could expand by 300,000.
Putin denies plans for Europe attack
The expansion comes just days after the Russian leader claimed Russia is not going to launch attacks on Europe, following intelligence that the country would target NATO members.
Putin said: “I want to emphasise once again that we are not preparing for any military action against Europe. We have no such plans, and, most importantly, there are no grounds for them. There are no real incentives whatsoever to escalate the situation with Europe.”
He insisted that European countries were purposefully heightening tensions by warning residents to prepare for a Russian attack. He also added that the rights of Russian speakers were being violated in the Baltic states, but Moscow would respond through humanitarian measures and international law, not violence.
Election and mobilisation concerns
The expansion comes just a week after a parliamentary election that saw Putin's United Russia party tighten its grip on the State Duma. It was the first election held since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and was portrayed as a test of support for the war.
Russians were urged to use their ballots to demonstrate that "millions of people" backed the fighting, though it was critiqued as any meaningful opposition had been crushed before the votes. The election was held inside Russia and in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, with votes by Kyiv or Western governments not recognised as legitimate.
The Institute for the Study of War said that the Kremlin was looking to use the election as evidence of support for Putin's war, and it could help Moscow justify “long-term societal sacrifices such as mobilization”.
Defence spending to reach record high
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that mobilisation of more forces has already occurred as a result. He said: “In effect, the Russians have already begun mobilisation. They are increasing the number of people they recruit through various means. They also plan to increase the recruitment of foreigners, and it is important that the governments of the countries from which Russia recruits people into its ranks counter this. We will inform every relevant government.”
Zelensky warned that Russia could seek another 300,000 troops following the elections. It is also reported that, as well as growing in numbers, Russia will spend around £153 billion on defence in 2027, according to government documents seen by Reuters. This amount would be the largest spend on defence since the war started in 2022.
