Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an increase in military personnel by 180,000, raising the total to 1.5 million as the conflict in Ukraine continues beyond two and a half years.

The decree, effective December 1, will set the overall number of Russian military personnel at nearly 2.4 million.

In June, Putin indicated that around 700,000 troops were involved in the war, which constitutes over half of the active soldiers.

Following previous mobilizations, the Kremlin has shifted towards recruiting volunteer soldiers due to a reluctance to call up more reservists after a significant exodus of men in 2022.

The shortage of military personnel has been viewed as a contributing factor to Ukraine’s recent offensives, including an incursion into Russia’s Kursk region on August 6, Euro News has reported.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported reclaiming control of two villages in the Kursk region, although these claims have not been independently verified.

Written by B.C. Begley