Russia’s UN envoy denies reports of post-election mass mobilization
More than 20,000 people crossed from Russia into Georgia in one day amid fears of a post-election draft. Ukraine says Russia is losing troops faster than it recruits them.
Russian UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya dismissed claims that Moscow might initiate another mass mobilization following the country's recent parliamentary elections. He firmly stated that no such mobilization was planned or expected "as far as I know." Russia has managed to avoid another draft since the 2022 mobilization, which sparked protests and a mass exodus, relying instead on contract soldiers.
Ukrainian authorities contend that these contract soldiers are no longer sufficient to replace battlefield casualties, and Moscow may resort to mobilizing several hundred thousand people after the elections. This move could bolster its forces and enable new offensives, though Ukrainian intelligence currently perceives no active preparations.
Nebenzya's comments come in response to reports of over 20,000 individuals crossing Russia's Verkhny Lars border checkpoint into Georgia on a single day, driven by fears of a post-election mobilization. Nebenzya's remarks join a string of Russian denials on the matter. Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev labeled reports of another mobilization as "nonsense" in late July, while the State Duma's defense committee affirmed that a mass compulsory call-up was not being considered, as the army was already recruiting contract soldiers.
Russia has refrained from another mass draft since the September 2022 mobilization, which triggered widespread protests and a mass exodus. Russian officials also denied at the time that a mobilization was planned shortly before President Vladimir Putin announced it. In parallel to these denials, Russia is seeking new wartime penalties for individuals and companies that disregard mobilization and military-supply orders issued by regional authorities.
The proposed legislation would not itself mandate a new call-up but would impose fines of up to 1 million rubles or a 90-day suspension on violators.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
