Aren't news sources misusing the definition of "troops"?

Question

I thought "troop" meant a group of soldiers, not each individual soldier. News sources say 3000 troops to mean 3000 soldiers, and not 3000 groups of soldiers.

What is the correct usage?

Answer 1

Yes, they are technically wrong. But soldiers are also refered to as "troopers" so people sometimes are lazy and say "troops".

Answer 2

3000 troops is actually 3000 soldiers.

Way too many of whom are dying.

Answer 3

splitting hairs