Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signed a decree to increase active troop numbers by 180,000, bringing the total to 1.5 million. The move is aimed at addressing perceived threats along Russia’s borders and hostility from the West. Once realized, this would make the Russian military the world’s second-largest by active troop numbers. Despite concerns, experts believe that this increase is unlikely to lead to a general mobilization in Russia, as previous expansions were achieved through covert means.
The Kremlin cites threats along its borders as the primary reason for the troop increase. While Western defense officials have warned of a potential invasion on NATO’s eastern flank, the current Russian troop buildup is not seen as an immediate risk. Most of Russia’s forces are tied up in Ukraine, with NATO exceeding its target of 300,000 troops on high readiness against Russian threats. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, combined with Western sanctions, makes the prospect of conventional warfare between NATO and Russia less likely.
Overall, while the increase in Russian troops may raise concerns, it is unlikely to result in an invasion against NATO in the near future.
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