According to a decree signed by Putin evening on the Russian government's information system for laws, the strength of the armed forces was set at 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 combat troops, with the decision to take effect immediately upon signing.
The decree means an increase in the number of Russian military personnel by 15,500, compared to the number specified in a previous decree signed by Putin last July, which raised the size of the army to 2,426,130 personnel, including 1,535,000 military personnel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that more than 8,000 North Korean soldiers are present on Russian territory, and that preparations are underway to deploy an additional 10,000 soldiers.
Zelensky referred to what he described as "new data" regarding the deployment of North Korean forces in Russia, explaining that additional elements are "being selected for training and subsequent deployment in Russia."
Zelenskyy had stated last August that up to 50,000 North Korean troops could be sent to fight alongside Russia, calling on South Korea to provide air defense support to Ukraine.
Seoul announced a $100 million aid package for Kyiv last July, but ruled out providing lethal weapons as part of it.
Zelensky's remarks came after a dispute between Seoul and Kyiv following his announcement last week that two captured North Korean soldiers had been transferred to South Korea. Seoul expressed regret over the announcement, noting that there was an agreement to keep the transfer confidential.
According to estimates from Kyiv and Seoul, North Korea has sent between 14,000 and 15,000 troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine since 2024, most of them deployed in the Kursk region to help repel a Ukrainian incursion.
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been waging a military offensive against Ukraine, and it stipulates that Kyiv must abandon its efforts to join Western military blocs in order to end the offensive, which the latter considers an “interference” in its affairs.
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