The size of Russia's Armed Forces (AF) will grow to 2,389,130 personnel. This number includes civilian staff (cooks, drivers, doctors, etc.), as well as 1.5 million military personnel. President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to that effect, and the updates will come into force on December 1, 2024. Previously, the size of the AF was expanded at the end of 2023, when it was increased to 2,209,130 personnel, including 1.32 million military personnel. Last year's decision was driven by the large number of people wishing to serve on a contract basis. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that this was unrelated to mobilization, which was not part of the government's plans. The current expansion of the AF is likely also due to the growing number of contract servicemen. In September, Putin noted that after the Ukrainian forces' offensive in the Kursk region (https://t.me/c/1695022138/9653), many Russians wanted to join the military. According to the Ministry of Defense, between January and July 2024, about 190,000 people enlisted under contract—roughly 1,000 people per day. Additionally, from September 1, the list of citizen categories eligible for deferral from military conscription was expanded (https://t.me/c/1695022138/9623). Before the changes took effect, deferrals were available to employees of internal affairs agencies, firefighters, customs officers, and correctional facility workers.