The order comes as both Ukraine and Russia seek to make gains on the ground and regroup their forces in a conflict that has seen little change on the front lines in recent months.

This brings the total number of Russian military personnel to about 2,200,000, including 1,320,000 soldiers.

This is the second such military deployment since 2018. This previous reinforcement of 137,000 soldiers, ordered by Putin in August 2022, puts the army at around two million personnel and an estimated 1,150,000 soldiers.

“The Army’s standing force increase is due to the increasing threats to our country associated with special military operations and the continued expansion of NATO,” the military statement said.

He said the number of troops in service would increase by around 170,000, which he said would be an “appropriate” response to the “hostile activity of the NATO camp”.

The report indicated there were no plans to make changes to recruitment rules or organize another mobilization campaign, an unpopular move that saw a mass flight of men from Russia last year.

Instead, in recent months the military has focused on recruitment campaigns with promises of lucrative financial rewards, particularly in remote areas.

But Kremlin critics saw the move as a “disguised” mobilization, as recruitment into the army continues unabated.

What are NATO’s movements?

• NATO joint forces are being formed near Russia’s borders, and additional air defense systems and offensive weapons are being deployed.
• NATO’s tactical nuclear capabilities are increasing, the statement said.
• The ministry added that the Russian troop build-up was an appropriate response to NATO’s “aggressive actions”.