China News Agency, Moscow, January 17 (Reporter Tian Bing) Russian Defense Minister Shoigu said on the 17th that plans to implement large-scale adjustments to the Russian armed forces, increase in numbers, and adjustments to military administrative divisions will be implemented between 2023 and 2026. The total strength of the Russian army will be expanded to 1.5 million.
According to news from the Russian Ministry of Defense on the 17th, Shoigu presided over a meeting on the expansion of the Russian military during the work schedule of inspecting special military operations forces.
He pointed out that the army building and the increase in the number of soldiers should be implemented in a unified manner, and should be promoted simultaneously with national defense procurement, weapons and equipment supply, logistical support, and military infrastructure construction.
Shoigu said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a decision to increase the number of armed forces to 1.5 million.
Only by strengthening the construction of key components of the armed forces can we ensure national military security and protect the safety of relevant areas and key facilities and targets.
These include the establishment of two new cross-arms strategic military districts, the Moscow Military District and the Leningrad Military District, among others; the formation of three motorized infantry divisions and two airborne assault divisions in the Republic of Karelia; The seven motorized infantry brigades of the Military Region, the Eastern Military Region, and the Northern Fleet were reorganized into division-level organizations; at the same time, the strength of the Navy, Aerospace Forces, and Strategic Missile Forces was strengthened.
Shoigu emphasized that large-scale adjustments in the composition of Russia's armed forces, increase in numbers, and adjustments in military administrative divisions will all be implemented between 2023 and 2026.
He asked the heads of relevant military departments to take corresponding measures to implement them, and called for attention to recruiting contract soldiers, ensuring the supply of military equipment, strengthening training, and increasing training venues and facilities.
At the enlarged meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense on December 21 last year, Shoigu said that it is necessary to expand the total strength of the Russian army from about 1.15 million to 1.5 million, and suggested that the minimum age for conscription be raised from 18 to 21, and that the age of conscription be lowered. The cap was raised from 27 to 30.
Putin said he agreed with Shoigu's proposals on further structural reforms of the Russian military, and announced plans to implement them in 2023.
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