Russia Announces Plans , to Bolster Military , Troop Numbers.
On August 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to increase the size of his country's military by 137,000 soldiers.
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NBC reports that the news comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine reached the six-month mark.
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The move will increase the number of combat personnel in Russia's military by about 10%, increasing from 1.01 million to 1.15 million.
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According to a Russian government website, the order will take effect on January 1 of 2023.
While the decree was reported on by Russian state media, no reason was given for the boost in troop numbers.
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NBC reports that the news comes one day after Putin's defense chief confirmed that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has stalled.
Russian forces now control large sections of Ukraine's south and east, where many of Moscow's forces have been amassing in the industrial Donbas region.
August 24 marked six months since the invasion began, coinciding with Ukraine's Independence Day.
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August 24 marked six months since the invasion began, coinciding with Ukraine's Independence Day.
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The same day, Kyiv reported that at least 25 people were killed in a Russian rocket strike in Chaplyne in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
According to Russia's defense ministry, over 200 Ukrainian soldiers and military equipment headed for the Donbas region were destroyed in the attack
