Russia detailed plans Tuesday to expand its army to 1.5 million over the next few years
Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has announced the build-up of the army, which is expected to be completed by 2026, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
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Russian self-propelled guns, tanks and military vehicles roll down Tverskaya Street towards Red Square during the rehearsal of the Victory Day military parade in Moscow. The Kremlin plans to expand the army to his 1.5 million by 2026, officials said Tuesday.
Russia also creates military districts in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and a corps in the Republic of Karelia along the Russian-Finnish border. The Wall Street Journal reportedIn addition, Shoigu said Moscow would set up “self-sufficient” forces in Russian-held Ukrainian territories.
“Only by strengthening the main components of the Armed Forces can we ensure the military security of the state and protect new organizations and important facilities of the Russian Federation,” Shoigu said, according to Reuters. rice field.
The announcement comes as Moscow faces setbacks on the neighboring Ukrainian battlefield. Since the 2022 invasion, Russia has been stranded in eastern Ukraine despite gaining some territory.
A convoy of pro-Russian troops moves on a road in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, April 21.
(Reuters/Genghis Kondalov)
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The Russian army has about 1 million troops.
The Kremlin had previously considered the size of its armed forces sufficient, but that changed after Ukrainian resistance dashed hopes of a quick victory over its neighbor.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
