The Kremlin has announced plans to recruit an additional 409,000 contract soldiers by 2026, aiming to bolster its military presence in Ukraine to a total of 800,000 personnel. This decision comes despite substantial losses in both personnel and equipment.
General Oleksandr Syrskiy, a senior Ukrainian military official, emphasized the necessity of continuing military operations against Russian forces, stating, “We have no choice but to keep fighting and eliminate the enemy.” He also communicated to his Dutch counterpart the urgent needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, particularly in terms of air defense systems and various types of missile weaponry.
Currently, there are over 700,000 Russian military personnel engaged against Ukrainian forces, according to Syrskiy. This figure aligns with estimates previously provided by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Recent reports indicate that the size of the Russian military has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 710,000 and 711,000 troops. This stability persists even as mobilization efforts exceed 100% of planned targets.
The underlying issue appears to be that losses are outpacing recruitment. In 2025, Russia brought in approximately 406,000 new recruits, yet it reportedly suffered losses of around 419,000. Consequently, there has been no real increase in the overall size of the military force.
Russia's military expansion plans for 2026 highlight ongoing recruitment efforts despite significant losses. The current troop levels remain stable, but the balance between losses and new recruits raises concerns about the sustainability of these forces.