Russia Preparing Mass Mobilization for Fall, Zelensky Says

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Russia is preparing a large-scale mobilization for the fall, ahead of scheduled parliamentary elections. This information was shared in a Telegram post, based on a report from Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate. Zelensky stated that the preparations are confirmed by internal Russian documents and are set to occur following the parliamentary elections, which are expected to be rigged.

President Putin's strategy is to portray Russians as supporting the war, as all permitted parties are anti-peace. Russia is scheduled to hold elections from September 18-20, with United Russia party facing no credible opposition due to a court ruling barring the only liberal, anti-war party, Yabloko. Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation claims Russia intends to falsify voting results in occupied Ukrainian regions.

According to Zelensky, Putin plans a further mobilization of hundreds of thousands after the false elections, in addition to contract-based recruitment efforts. This announcement is consistent with Ukraine's warnings throughout recent months, as Russia has only declared one official mobilization during the full-scale invasion in September 2022, leading to nationwide protests.

Russia has increasingly relied on fraudulent recruitment schemes, including promises of well-paid civilian jobs to foreign fighters from countries like Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Furthermore, Ukraine is preparing to counter Russia's mobilization plans by assigning tasks to intelligence agencies and special services. The removal of Yabloko from upcoming elections aligns with Russia's pattern of suppressing progressive and liberal voices, including targeting anti-war nationals, even those in exile.