---
title: "Putin Increases Russian Army for the Fourth Time This Year Amid Mobilization Rumors"
description: "Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the Russian army's staffing by 15,500 troops, marking the fourth such expansion in 2026 amid ongoing mobilization rumors."
date: 2026-09-28T18:28:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/putin-increases-russian-army-fourth-time
tags: [putin, russian-army, mobilization, ukraine-war, russia-news]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Putin Increases Russian Army for the Fourth Time This Year Amid Mobilization Rumors

![Vladimir Putin's decree on increasing the Russian army](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/28/putin-v-chetvertyj-raz-za-god-uvelichil-armiyu/putin-v-chetvertyj-raz-za-god-uvelichil-armiyu-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- The authorized strength of the Russian army has grown by another 15,500 troops.
- This is the fourth decree on troop buildup in 2026 alone.
- The decision comes amid mobilization rumors, which authorities officially deny.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has signed another decree increasing the authorized strength of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. This time, the Russian army has expanded by another 15,500 service members. Experts highlight the unprecedented frequency of such decisions: the current document marks the fourth official order to increase troop numbers in less than nine months of 2026.

### Dynamics of Force Buildup in 2026

By comparison, between 2022 and 2025, similar decrees were signed only three times a year. However, in 2026, militaristic rhetoric and personnel restructuring have become systematic. Earlier this year, the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces was already increased in March (by 2,000 people) and mid-June (by 7,700 people), as well as in July. Each of these stages was accompanied by resource reallocation, including the creation of new military construction units resembling Soviet-era construction battalions.

### Context of Mobilization Rumors and Authorities' Reaction

The new wave of army expansion comes amid media reports regarding possible preparations for a second wave of large-scale mobilization in Russia, as well as discussions concerning the risks of a direct military confrontation with European nations. Official Kremlin representatives and Russian authorities have repeatedly and categorically denied such plans, insisting that all current changes fit into the framework of planned reforms and contractual recruitment.

### Legislative Changes and Recruitment

It is worth noting that parallel to the growth of official staffing figures, the Russian state apparatus continues to adapt its legislative framework to frontline needs. In particular, in late July, the State Duma adopted a bill allowing citizens with unexpunged criminal records to officially sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense not only during periods of declared mobilization, but also during other formal periods.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Путин в четвертый раз за год увеличил армию на фоне слухов о мобилизации](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/putin-vchetverte-rik-zbilshiv-armiyu-tli-1790619847.html) - Основной материал с деталями указов и хронологией.
- [Путин увеличил штатную численность армии в четвертый раз с начала года](https://meduza.io/news/2026/09/28/putin-uvelichil-shtatnuyu-chislennost-armii-v-chetvertyy-raz-s-nachala-goda) - Подтверждение указа о добавлении 15,5 тысяч человек.
- [Путин в четвертый раз за год увеличил численность армии рф](https://ru.slovoidilo.ua/2026/09/28/novost/politika/putin-chetvertyj-raz-god-uvelichil-chislennost-armii-rf) - Справочные данные по предыдущим указам.
- [Путин увеличил численность Вооруженных сил на 15 тыс. человек](https://news.mail.ru/politics/72528983/) - Детали о количестве военнослужащих.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: How many troops were added under Putin's latest decree?
**A:** The authorized strength of military personnel was increased by 15,500 individuals.

### Q: How many times has Putin increased the army in 2026?
**A:** This current decree represents the fourth adjustment to troop numbers since the beginning of 2026.