Putin wants to draft 300,000 new troops for war, Ukraine’s Zelensky says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russia is preparing to draft an additional 300,000 troops for its ongoing war efforts following parliamentary elections in mid-September. Russian forces continue their advance towards the industrialized Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which, according to Kyiv, has come at a high cost.

In remarks to reporters on Sunday, Zelensky stated that Russia could draft more troops in 2027 to reach a target of 500,000, as part of what he described as a "peripheral mobilisation" targeting Russia's peripheral regions. "We believe it will not happen in the central cities," he said. "But I don't think they will be able to hide it very well."

The elections in Russia are scheduled to take place from September 18 to 20. Zelensky asserted that Russia is losing a significant number of troops in their push to advance into Ukraine's so-called fortress belt of eastern cities, especially around the strategic city of Kostiantynivka. He also praised recent gains made by Ukraine's troops in southeastern Ukraine, adding that the amount of territory occupied by Russia and regained by Ukrainian forces in 2026 would be equal.

Ukraine is facing a shortage of US-designed Patriot interceptors, exacerbating its air war against Russian forces. Zelensky reported that Ukraine received 264 of the 264 interceptors it anticipated to receive in 2026, a stark contrast to 364 in 2025 and 675 in 2023. Furthermore, Russia reportedly aims to produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles per year.

Over the summer, Ukraine has intensified drone strikes on Russia's economic infrastructure, including oil refineries and online retailers' warehouses, aiming to cripple sectors vital to Russia's war effort.

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the strikes by accusing Ukraine of "opening Pandora's box," vowing that Russia would retaliate against Ukraine's "most sensitive economic sectors." Zelensky warned that Ukraine is preparing for another difficult winter of Russian strikes on its energy grid, prompting the air force to request 360 missile interceptors for the season.

He also announced that an agreement had been reached with France for at least one SAMP/T air-defence system this year, and with Germany for the supply of about 600 PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors through 2028. The Ukrainian war effort is further complicated by a $27 billion defense funding gap this year, requiring at least $8 billion for a normal start in 2027, plus approximately $20 billion more for military salaries, payments to families of the deceased, and other expenses.