Full Breakdown
Putin Expands Russian Army Amid Claims of North Korean Troop Deployment
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Core Expansion of the Russian Armed Forces
On a presidential decree published on Monday, President Vladimir Putin set the authorised strength of the Russian armed forces at 2,441,630 total personnel, including 1,550,500 active servicemen. The order adds 15,500 active troops, marking the fourth increase this year and bringing the cumulative rise since March to 47,860. The decree provides no explanation for the expansion. A billboard promoting contract service with a salary of 5 200 000 rubles (? USD 61 700) was photographed in western Moscow on September 14, 2026.
Background and Context
The expansion follows more than four-and-a-half years of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, during which battlefield advances have stalled and both sides have increasingly relied on drones and long-range strikes. Russia’s previous large-scale mobilisation of reservists occurred in September 2022.
Data and Statistics
- Authorized personnel after decree: 2,441,630 total; 1,550,500 active.
- Additional troops added: 15,500 (fourth expansion this year).
- Cumulative additions since March: 47,860.
- Ukrainian estimates of Russian losses in 2026: over 300,000 total casualties; more than 20,000 in the first half of September (unverified).
- North Korean troops reported in Russia: more than 8,000 currently, with preparations for an additional 10,000 (President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, September 28).
Official Statements & Responses
- Russia is providing technology for the production of Shahed-type attack drones in North Korea.
- Alexey D Muraviev, professor of Defence and Strategic Studies at Edith Cowan University, linked the increase to “longer-term strategic considerations,” including tensions with NATO.
Criticism & Opposition
Olena Halushka, board member of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre in Kyiv, criticised Putin’s demand for Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, noting that the battlefield situation contradicts his expectations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Casualty figures: Ukrainian officials cite Russian losses exceeding 300,000 in 2026, but these numbers have not been independently verified.
- North Korean troop count: Zelenskyy reports over 8,000 troops currently in Russia with plans for 10,000 more, while other estimates place the total sent since 2024 at 14,000–15,000.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In addition, preparations are underway to deploy another 10,000 troops – they are being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- “There are more than 8,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory, and preparations are underway to deploy an additional 10,000 troops.” — President Zelenskyy
Why It Matters
The personnel increase expands Russia’s standing force at a time when ground advances are limited and drone warfare dominates the battlefield. Analysts link the move to broader strategic aims, including preparation for possible confrontation with NATO and the need to sustain a protracted war effort.
What’s Next
Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv will continue remote instruction until at least October 16, citing security concerns. Diplomatic efforts involving the United States, Russia, and Ukraine continue without a breakthrough, and Russian officials say proposals to resume negotiations remain “on the table.” Further expansions of the Russian armed forces are anticipated.