The Kremlin calls mobilization talk “nonsense”—Zelenskyy says it has already begun, with North Korean reinforcements

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Russian claims of mobilization as "nonsense," stating that the war effort has already expanded. According to a report from Ukraine's military intelligence, Russia has initiated a new mobilization round and intends to enlist additional North Korean troops. This comes after the Kremlin published a decree increasing Russia's army for the fourth time this year.

Zelenskyy noted that Russia is not only recruiting more individuals domestically but also internationally. In his evening address on September 28, Zelenskyy called on the governments of countries whose citizens Russia recruits to resist this recruitment strategy. He also informed these nations about the situation. Ukraine has observed Russia losing soldiers at a faster rate than they can replace them through contract recruitment, suggesting that an unannounced call-up could help the Kremlin replenish its forces without a formal draft.

The ISW suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin may postpone a mandatory draft until he assesses the effectiveness of his ongoing strikes. As of now, over 8,000 North Korean troops are stationed in Russia, with an additional 10,000 expected to join in the coming months. Russia is compensating North Korea for this assistance, including through the production of advanced attack drones, a development that surpasses what Kyiv had previously reported.

This development may indicate that Moscow and Pyongyang are preparing for a more significant confrontation.