UK says it is unclear how Russia will recruit more soldiers

Ukrainian firefighters remove rubbles in a factory destroyed by a Russian strike in the city of Slovyansk, in war-affected area in eastern Ukraine, as Russia's attack in Ukraine continues, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, August 27,2022. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

(Reuters) - Britain's defence ministry said on Sunday it was not yet clear how Russia would achieve an announced large increase in its armed forces, but the boost was unlikely to substantially increase its combat power in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree last week to increase the size of Russia's armed forces to 2.04 million from 1.9 million as the war in Ukraine enters its seventh month.