Putin expands army to 1.56 million soldiers; expert: goal exceeds Ukraine

A new decree by Vladimir Putin increased the size of Russian armed forces to 1.56 million soldiers. Lt. Col. (ret.) Maciej Korowaj from the Eastern Flank Institute assesses this as part of the Kremlin's long-term strategy extending far beyond the war with Ukraine. According to the expert, the military expansion fits into Russia's broader geopolitical plans.