Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday authorizing 15,500 additional positions in the country's armed forces. The move raises the authorized total to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 service members.

The decree took effect immediately upon signing and represents the fourth increase to Russia's military strength this year. Previous expansions occurred in March, June, and July, bringing the combined additions since March to 52,500 positions, of which 50,500 are for service members.

This year's pace of increases exceeds the three expansions Putin ordered during the first four years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The latest decree did not specify reasons for the change.

The expansion comes as both Russian and Ukrainian forces face significant casualties in the protracted conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of Russian efforts to recruit additional personnel, including foreigners, and has highlighted the presence of North Korean troops supporting Russian operations.

Russia's military recruitment continues alongside a record defense budget proposal for 2027. The decree directs the government to allocate necessary funds from the federal budget to support the personnel increase.