Russia’s war effort in Ukraine has entered a new phase, marked by a dramatic surge in military spending and a fresh expansion of its armed forces. On September 28, 2026, President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order increasing the number of active-duty servicemen by 15,500, bringing the official size of the Russian military to 1.55 million active troops and a total force of 2,441,630 personnel. This marks the fourth such troop expansion Putin has ordered this year, underscoring the Kremlin’s determination to maintain its military campaign despite mounting casualties and economic strain.
According to documents reviewed by Reuters and reported by i24NEWS, Russia is planning a substantial hike in its defense budget for 2027. The government now intends to spend 17.1 trillion rubles—about $202.58 billion—on defense that year, a 27% increase from the original budget. Over the next three years, total defense spending is projected to reach a staggering 50 trillion rubles ($589.65 billion), the highest level since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
These budgetary moves come with significant economic consequences. Russia has raised its 2026 budget deficit estimate to 3.2% of GDP, up from 1.6%, while total government spending is set to rise 13.2% to 48.6 trillion rubles ($573.14 billion), or 20.9% of GDP. State debt is also projected to climb, hitting 21.7% of GDP in 2027—above the 20% threshold Russian authorities have previously considered safe. To help cover these costs, the Kremlin has announced new tax hikes for 2027, including a windfall tax on metals and mining companies expected to raise about 200 billion rubles ($2.36 billion) annually.
The latest troop increase follows similar expansions earlier this year, with the combined additions since March totaling 47,860 soldiers. According to The Moscow Times, 52,500 new military positions have been created in 2026 alone, the vast majority being active-duty slots rather than civilian support staff. While the Kremlin has not publicly explained the reason for the latest expansion, the timing coincides with heavy losses on the Ukrainian front and the need to replenish ranks as the war grinds into its fifth year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been quick to respond, claiming that Russia has “already begun additional mobilization” and is expanding recruitment through multiple channels. On September 28, Zelensky stated on X that Kyiv has information indicating more than 8,000 North Korean troops are already on Russian territory, with preparations underway to deploy another 10,000. He added, “They are being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia.” South Korean and Ukrainian estimates suggest that since 2024, North Korea has sent between 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, with most reportedly deployed in the Kursk region to help repel a Ukrainian incursion.
This influx of foreign fighters has drawn international attention and concern. Last year, both Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un publicly confirmed for the first time that North Korea had sent troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, describing these soldiers as “heroes.” The use of foreign fighters signals the Kremlin’s willingness to look beyond its borders to fill military gaps—an approach that may help offset domestic recruitment challenges but also raises the stakes on the international stage.
Inside Russia, the push for more troops has fueled anxiety. In late August, Politico reported that roughly 100,000 Russians fled to Georgia within a single week, driven by fears of conscription. The Russian military is currently estimated to recruit about 30,000 new personnel each month, according to i24NEWS. Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused Moscow of preparing for a new mass mobilization after recent parliamentary elections. While Putin has dismissed these claims as “disinformation” and maintains that the “partial” mobilization order from September 2022 remains in effect, military experts cited by The Moscow Times suggest that logistical hurdles would make another mass draft difficult and question its effectiveness on the battlefield.
The war’s toll continues to mount on both sides. On September 29, explosions rocked Kyiv as Russian drone and missile attacks struck residential neighborhoods. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported missile debris falling into a residential courtyard, while a non-residential building caught fire elsewhere in the city. The previous day, Zelensky reported that nine people had been killed and more than 80 injured in Russian drone strikes across Ukraine, including the capital.
Russia’s offensive has battered Ukraine’s economy, forcing the government in Kyiv to postpone some reconstruction spending due to delays in foreign aid. Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky announced that all available resources must now be directed toward critical areas, with less urgent projects to be carried out later. The destruction caused by Russia’s attacks has punched a huge hole in Ukraine’s finances, adding urgency to international calls for support.
The conflict’s ripple effects extend far beyond the battlefield. On September 28, Putin ordered the Russian assets of German retailer Metro AG to be placed under temporary administration, a move that follows similar actions against the Russian businesses of Nestlé and Auchan under a 2023 decree targeting companies from “unfriendly countries.” Such measures have led to local owners taking over the Russian operations of international firms at steep discounts, further straining Russia’s already tense relations with the West.
Meanwhile, NATO’s top military commander, US General Alexus Grynkewich, told EU lawmakers that Russia’s sabotage campaign in Europe is failing to deter support for Ukraine. “State-directed sabotage is growing increasingly brazen,” Grynkewich said, pointing to recent incidents such as the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at a German airport and a Russian naval ship firing flares at a Danish helicopter. “These are clear examples of attempts to instil fear and fracture our unified support to Ukraine. It isn’t working.”
Calls for peace persist, even as the conflict shows no sign of abating. Pope Leo, addressing journalists after a trip to France, urged Russia and Ukraine to “come together, sit down, engage in dialogue.” He emphasized the Catholic Church’s responsibility to promote peace and respect for human life, stating, “The Church has a responsibility to promote these values, continually inviting leaders – from Russia and Ukraine, as well as other countries – to come together, sit down, engage in dialogue.”
As both Russia and Ukraine continue to suffer heavy casualties, the Kremlin’s latest moves signal an intent to double down rather than deescalate. With defense spending at record highs, foreign fighters entering the fray, and the economic burden mounting, the war’s end remains elusive. For now, the world watches as the conflict grinds on, reshaping not only Eastern Europe but the global balance of power.