Russia Expands Military Amid Western Tensions, Citing Security Concerns

Russia has announced a significant expansion of its armed forces, aiming to become the world's second-largest military. Vladimir Putin signed a decree to increase the regular army size by 180,000 troops, bringing the total to 1.5 million active servicemen. This decision, according to the Kremlin, is a response to perceived threats from the West.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, stated that the expansion is necessitated by "the number of threats that exist to our country along the perimeter of our borders." He cited a "hostile environment" on Russia's western borders and instability in the east as justifications for these measures.

The military enlargement occurs against the backdrop of substantial losses reported in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Western intelligence sources estimate that Russia has lost nearly 200,000 troops and had 400,000 wounded since February 2022. Ukraine has also suffered significant casualties, with estimates suggesting 80,000 dead and 400,000 wounded soldiers.

Russian commanders face challenges in maintaining troop levels, often relying on poorly-trained recruits. A Western official noted, "They do have mass, they can push more people onto the front line than the Ukrainians. But it's worth noting the difference in the training, the quality and the standard of those forces Russia puts on the front line."

Russia's large population of approximately 146 million serves as a significant resource in this conflict of attrition. The country reportedly recruits about 1,000 troops daily to address manpower losses. Since the conflict's onset, Putin has ordered two official increases in combat troops and mobilized 300,000 soldiers in late 2022.

The economic implications of this military expansion are substantial. The Russian government allocated about 3 trillion rubles (£27 billion) for military salaries and compensation between July 2023 and June 2024, representing 1.6% of the expected GDP and 8% of federal budget expenditure.

Experts question the sustainability of this military growth given the economic pressures from Western sanctions and war costs. Dara Massicot, a Russian military expert, raised concerns about the feasibility of maintaining such a large force and the associated defense budget requirements.

This expansion aligns with Russia's historical emphasis on military strength. The Russian Armed Forces, already one of the world's largest, operate across various branches including the Ground Forces, Aerospace Forces, and Navy. The country has been focusing on modernizing its military equipment and developing advanced weapons systems in recent years.

As tensions persist, the international community watches closely to see how this military expansion will impact regional stability and global power dynamics.