MOSCOW 

Russian President Vladimir Putin increased the number of troops Friday in the army by approximately 170,000, bringing the military personnel count to more than 2.2 million.

Putin signed a decree increasing the personnel of the Russian Armed Forces to 2,209,130, with 1,320,000 soldiers, according to the Kremlin's website.

The decision took effect from the day it was signed.

Earlier, under Putin's decree, effective from Jan. 1, the army had 2,039,758 personnel, including 1,150,628 soldiers.

Compared to the previous decree, the number of soldiers increased 169,372, while there was no increase in other personnel. 

'No mobilization decision'

The Ministry of Defense clarified that despite the approximately 170,000 additions to the army, there is no plan for a significant rise in conscriptions.

"There is no provision for mobilization," it said, attributing the army's growth to the heightened threats linked to the "special military operation" in Ukraine and NATO's expansion.

​​​​​​​The increase in the armed forces is deemed an appropriate response to NATO's aggressive activities.