Russian armed forces personnel ceiling 2026 rises to 2.44 million, including 1.55 million active service members under Putin’s latest decree.
© Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new decree raising the Russian armed forces personnel ceiling 2026 to more than 2.44 million people, including 1.55 million active service members. The latest increase adds 15,500 personnel to the previously authorized strength of the Russian military. The Times of Russia reports that the decree was signed on September 28 and has taken effect.
Russian Armed Forces Personnel Ceiling 2026 Reaches 2.44 Million
Under the new decree, the Russian armed forces personnel ceiling 2026 has been set at 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 service members.
The decree, published through Russia’s official legal information system, instructs authorities to establish the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces at the new level.
It also directs the Russian government to ensure that the federal budget provides the funds required to implement the new personnel level.
The latest decision increases the Russian armed forces strength by 15,500 people compared with the previous decree.
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Putin’s Latest Military Personnel Decree
The previous presidential decree on the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces was dated June 12, 2026. The new document states that the earlier decree is no longer in force.
In late July, Putin had set the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces at 2,426,130 personnel, including 1,535,000 active service members. That decree became effective on August 1.
The latest Putin Russian military decree 2026 therefore raises the authorized number of active service members by 15,500, bringing the figure to 1,550,500.
The total authorized personnel figure now stands at 2,441,630.
Russia Military Personnel Increase
The latest increase represents another rise in the authorized size of Russia’s armed forces during 2026. According to the information provided in the decree and related reporting, the Russia military personnel 2026 figure has been adjusted several times during the year.
Before the latest decision, Putin had already increased the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces in March.
In total, troop numbers grew by 49,860 people between March and September 2026, according to the figures cited in the report.
The latest adjustment therefore continues the increase in the authorized Russian military strength during the year.
Russian Army Active Service Members
The new decree specifically sets the number of Russian army active service members at 1,550,500.
This figure forms part of the overall authorized personnel ceiling of 2,441,630. The difference includes other personnel covered by the overall authorized strength of the armed forces.
The government has also been instructed to provide the necessary federal budget allocations to the Defense Ministry to implement the new personnel ceiling.
The latest Russian armed forces personnel increase follows the previous adjustment announced in July, when the authorized strength was set at 2,426,130 personnel.
Russia’s Authorized Armed Forces Strength
The latest decision brings the authorized Russian armed forces strength to more than 2.44 million personnel.
The new figure replaces the previous authorized ceiling and establishes a higher personnel limit for the Russian Armed Forces.
The increase of 15,500 people compared with the previous decree represents the latest adjustment to Russia’s military personnel ceiling in 2026.
The Times of Russia will continue to track developments involving Russia’s armed forces and changes to its authorized military personnel strength.
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