Vladimir Putin prepares for a 'long war' in Ukraine and recruits 140,000 more soldiers

Russian President Vladimir Putin's plan would see his military personnel grow to 1.15 million, 15 times the size of the British military amid his invasion from Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin reinforces his troops (

Image: Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Vladimir Putin is preparing for a 'long war' after signing a decree calling for 137,000 additional troops to bolster his forces in Ukraine, analysts say.

The troops of the Russian despot would then number 1.15 million, 15 times the size of the British army.

The bloody invasion of former Soviet ally Moscow is entering its seventh month and shows no signs of ending.

The Kremlin had previously tried to persuade volunteers, private military contractors and prisoners through amnesty deals in an effort to swell its ranks.

Commanders now offer sign-up bonuses of £4,000, while the upper age limit has been raised.

Military vehicles seen during the Victory Day parade in Russia (

Picture:

Getty Images)

Former KGB intelligence officer Putin – who has reportedly seen his health decline in recent months – has always called the invasion a “special operation” since the shell attacks began in February.

Dara Massicot, senior policy researcher at the US think tank Rand Corporation, told the Daily Telegraph: "An expansion like this is a decision you make when strategic forecasting for the future within the general staff are gloomy, or that you have a longer term conflict or project in mind."

Putin has not publicly identified which areas of his army he plans to strengthen, but analysts suggest he needs to replace about 75,000 frontline soldiers who have been killed or injured.