The Russian defense ministry announced today "major changes" in the organization of the armed forces. The 2023-2026 Army Development Program plans, among other things, to increase the military personnel in service up to 1.5 million soldiers, to be included mainly in the Navy and Air Force. The announcement came after sharp criticism of how Moscow's generals are conducting the war in Ukraine.

"Only by strengthening the key structural components of the armed forces it is possible to ensure the military security of the state and protect new critical entities and structures of the Russian Federation", said Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, accused of failure to take control of large regions of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the changes were made necessary by the "proxy war" waged in Ukraine by member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which continue to send ever more modern and heavy weapons to help Kiev resist the Russian military.