# Russian president Vladimir Putin has signed a decree ordering an increase in the size of the army, while also instructing that funds be allocated to the Ministry of Defence to carry out the order. The expansion, which follows a similar increase ordered in August, will put the size of the armed forces at over two-million, of which 1.55-million are active servicemen. This comes as both Russia and Ukraine have suffered mounting casualties in their respective armies in the more than four-and-a-half-year war.
Putin orders an increase in the size of the Russian army