Armed Forces of Russia - statistics & facts
Having long been one of the largest militaries in the world, the Russian Army was further increased in size during the invasion of Ukraine. As of 2024, it ranks fourth by active military personnel, which stands at 1.32 million, following China, India, and the United States. The Army is one of the most trusted public authorities in the country, as per nearly 80 percent of Russians. After the dissolution of the USSR, the troops were deployed in the Russian region of Chechnya, as well as in Georgia, Syria, and Ukraine, among other territories.
Russia has seen an increase in military staff and defense spending since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The economy has been increasingly financing the defense sector, which resulted in the ratio of military expenditure to gross domestic product (GDP) increasing to almost six percent in 2023 and the 2024 federal budget spending on national defense reaching a record high.
Structure of the Russian military
The key divisions include the Ground Forces, the Navy, and the Aerospace Forces, and the further separate arms of service are the Strategic Rocket Forces, the Airborne Forces, and the Special Operations Forces. Russia's president is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Men aged 18 to 30 years are obliged to participate in the military service for one year. The maximum conscription age was raised from 27 to 30 years in 2024. In the fall draft of 2023, 130,000 people were conscripted. The lack of modern and advanced equipment is considered a major challenge for the military. The government has run arms modernization programs since 2007. Following the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian government has increased the federal budget on national defense significantly. The highest figure to date was planned for 2024 at over 10 trillion Russian rubles. However, the expenditure was set to decrease in 2025 and 2026.Partial mobilization during the war in Ukraine
In September 2022, the Russian president announced a partial mobilization of reservists. It applies to people who had previously served in the Armed Forces in certain age groups. Privates and sergeants aged up to 35 years, junior officers aged up to 50 years, and senior officers aged up to 55 years were to be called up. Furthermore, mobilization of shooters, tankers, artillerymen, drivers, and mechanics was prioritized. The government reportedly planned to call up 300,000 reservists. Following the announcement, protests took place in several cities in Russia. Furthermore, Google search interest in the term "How to leave Russia" increased sharply, as did the demand for tickets for flights from Russia to Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, where Russians do not require a travel visa.Russia has seen an increase in military staff and defense spending since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The economy has been increasingly financing the defense sector, which resulted in the ratio of military expenditure to gross domestic product (GDP) increasing to almost six percent in 2023 and the 2024 federal budget spending on national defense reaching a record high.
