The number that should terrify Europe: Russia’s force hits 1.5 million & reason remains classified

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered another 15,500 military personnel to be added to the country’s authorised armed forces, marking the fourth such expansion in 2026. The move comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims Russia has begun additional mobilisation and says another 10,000 North Korean troops are being prepared for deployment to Russia.