Russia’s Mobilization Looming as Putin Sticks to Ambitions
Russia insists that no new mobilization is planned, despite nationwide readiness exercises and Ukrainian warnings that Vladimir Putin could call up 300,000 troops after September’s parliamentary elections. The denials come as Russia’s paid recruitment system struggles to generate net manpower, its Donbas offensive produces diminishing territorial returns, and the country’s remaining liquid fiscal…
Russia has not officially announced a new military mobilization, nor has there been any public confirmation from its leader, Vladimir Putin. Nevertheless, Russia is actively preparing for one. The country is testing the infrastructure needed to conduct a large-scale call-up, increasing the price for hiring hired soldiers, and striving to regain control over Ukrainian-held territories in Donbas.
These efforts come alongside the United States dispatching high-level officials, including the CIA's director, to Moscow. Speculation regarding a potential mobilization has been circulating within Russia for months, with Russian military personnel conducting readiness drills in Kaliningrad in July. These exercises, conducted across various regions, suggest that the administrative framework is being prepared for a potential order from Putin.
President Zelensky of Ukraine estimates that Russia might mobilize an additional 300,000 troops following the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18-20, potentially increasing to 500,000 by 2027. However, Zelensky believes these mobilizations would exclude the central cities of Russia. The European Union Agency for Asylum estimates Russia's inactive mobilization reserve at around 25 million individuals, based on a 2022 assertion by former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
While the active mobilization reserve is officially recorded at two million, the real number may be lower and remains a state secret. Despite these reports, Russia continues to deny any intention of mobilizing additional troops. Former Russian President Medvedev dismissed rumors as "nonsense" in March and August, calling them "lying provocations" by Ukraine.
Similarly, Andrei Kartapolov, the Chair of the State Duma Defense Committee, and prominent state television figures have all dismissed the rumors, with Kremlin spokesman Peskov labeling them as "information canards" aimed at destabilizing Russia. The ongoing denials from the Kremlin further fuel speculation about Russia's true intentions.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
