Putin in Panic: Russian Leader to Expand Military by 170,000 Troops Amid Ongoing Ukraine War, NATO Threats

President Vladimir Putin reportedly has authorized the strengthening of the Russian military forces by 15 percent amid perceived threats from NATO in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In a statement on the official Kremlin website, the Russian defense ministry cited the need for the large increase due to escalating threats related to Putin's so-called "special military operation" and NATO's continued expansion.

The statement noted that the 15 percent increase equates to around an additional 170,000 servicemen and emphasized that the armed forces would not have to rely on conscription or mobilization drives to achieve the goal.

The expansion of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation instead is expected to be implemented gradually, with a contract offered to volunteers who desire to join the military, the statement explained.

This decision to avoid mobilization drives is likely in response to previous troop-boosting initiatives that resulted in Russia suffering an exodus of military-aged males who fled the country, as reported by BBC News.

Critics, including the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), accuse the Putin's government of engaging in covert mobilization despite official statements to the contrary. CEPA also highlighted the Russia's equivalent of a parliament, the DUMA, has made ongoing efforts to pass legislation that would penalize draft dodgers with jail terms as much as five years.

Reports from The Moscow Times indicate Putin's regime is actively recruiting in remote areas, offering attractive remuneration to entice potential recruits.

Despite the Kremlin blaming the troop increase on the expansion of NATO, The Guardian reported in August that as many as 300,000 Russian troops have died since Putin's war in Ukraine began nearly two years ago.

Further reports from August to November 2023 show there has been strong resistance and substantial casualties resulting from Putin's attempts to assimilate Avdiivka.

Speaking with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that Ukrainian forces successfully repelled multiple attempts to surround the eastern Ukrainian city, inflicting significant losses on the Russian invaders.

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In November, it was revealed that Putin suffered another substantial loss: 990 soldiers in a single day, which marked the highest point in a trend of 600 deaths per day over the preceding month.

Despite the setbacks, Putin's antagonism towards NATO is longstanding and has been exacerbated by Ukraine's intent to join the alliance.