Why Russia needs a new round of mobilization
The Kyiv Independent’s Tania Myronyshena examines why Russia’s manpower advantage is under pressure, what a new mobilization campaign could look like, whether Russians could resist it, and how hundreds of thousands of additional troops could affect the war.
Russia's battle losses in Ukraine surpassing new recruit numbers may lead to a new mobilization drive in 2026, according to Kyiv Independent journalist Tania Myronyshena. The country's reliance on a volunteer soldier model is straining its resources, as the Kremlin increasingly turns to reservists, migrants, foreigners, and students to bolster its military ranks.
This shift is becoming more challenging to maintain, given the high costs and potential for Russian citizens to resist conscription. A new mobilization campaign could significantly impact the ongoing war in Ukraine, with hundreds of thousands of additional troops potentially altering the balance of power on the battlefield.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
