Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held a meeting with the senior leadership of the Russian armed forces on the implementation of the decision of the Russian president to increase the number of military personnel to 1.5 million, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"The Russian defense minister held a meeting with Russian deputy ministers of defense, the commanders-in-chief of the Russian armed forces and commanders on the implementation of the decision of the Russian president to increase the number of the Russian military to 1.5 million personnel," the Ministry said.

Such changes, which will also need to be synchronized with the supply of weapons and the construction of necessary infrastructure, are scheduled to take place in 2023-2026, the Minister said.

In order to ensure an increase in the number of the Russian military, special attention will be paid to recruiting contractors, ensuring the timely supply of equipment, as well as increasing landfills in existing military districts and new Russian territories, Shoigu said.

Shoigu inspects Vostok troops HQ

Moreover, earlier in the day, Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu examined the headquarters of the Vostok group of forces operating in the zone of Russia's special military operation, as per a statement by the Defense Ministry.

"Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergey Shoigu has inspected the headquarters of the Vostok group of forces active in the zone of the special military operation," the statement said.

When Shoigu visited the command post of the Vostok group of forces, he was updated on the present situation and the group's activity from its commander, Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov, as well as from commanders of soldiers engaged in other areas.

"The Russian military minister also heard reports from formation and unit commanders on the performance of combat missions in important locations," as per the statement.

"The Russian defense minister paid special attention to efforts to ensure comprehensive support for troops involved in the special military operation, organize fortification work and create conditions for the safe accommodation of troops in the field, as well as to the activities of medical and logistics units," it added.

The defense chief concluded his visit by congratulating military forces for their bravery in carrying out their missions in the special operations zone, presenting service members with awards.

Addressing the troops, Shoigu said, "You are defending our Fatherland, assisting those in need, and doing everything in your power to bring victory closer." 

Shoigu's remarks came just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that his country's special military operation was going positively, saying that its dynamics were optimistic and stressing that everything was going according to plan.

It is worth noting that Shoigu has lately pointed out that Russia will focus on improving drones and the invulnerabilities of fighter aircraft and bombers to modern air defense systems to boost the Aerospace Forces’ combat potential this year.

In late November, Shoigu noted that Russian troops were testing new methods of the combat employment of missile troops and artillery during the war in Ukraine, primarily through reconnaissance and strike systems that included drones, as per TASS.

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