- Parliamentary elections in Russia are set for Sept. 18-20.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia plans to draft an additional 300,000 troops for its war effort after the elections.
- Zelensky indicated that Russia could draft more troops in 2027 to reach an overall goal of 500,000, as part of a peripheral mobilization targeting far-flung regions.
- Zelensky mentioned that the mobilization would not take place in the central cities, but expressed doubt about Russia's ability to conceal it.
- As fighting rages around the strategic city of Kostiantynivka, Zelensky reported that Russia is losing a maximum number of troops in its advance into Ukraine's fortress belt of eastern cities.
- Zelensky hailed recent gains by Kyiv's troops in southeastern Ukraine, noting that the territory occupied by Russia and liberated by Ukrainian forces in 2026 would be equal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that Russia is preparing to draft an additional 300,000 troops following the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18-20. He described this effort as part of a broader strategy of 'peripheral mobilization' aimed at Russia's remote regions.23
Zelensky noted that this mobilization could lead to a total of 500,000 troops by 2027. He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of this strategy, stating, “We believe it will not take place in the central cities. But I don't think they will be able to hide it very well.”
As the conflict continues, particularly around the strategic city of Kostiantynivka, Zelensky emphasized that Russia is suffering significant troop losses in its attempts to advance into Ukraine's eastern cities, which he referred to as the 'fortress belt'. He also highlighted recent territorial gains by Ukrainian forces in southeastern Ukraine, suggesting that the amount of territory occupied by Russia and liberated by Ukraine would be equal by 2026.56
This mobilization effort comes at a critical time as the war continues to escalate, with both sides vying for control over key regions in Ukraine.
“Zelensky said Russia could draft more troops in 2027 to reach an overall goal of 500,000, part of what he called a 'peripheral mobilization' targeting far-flung regions. He added that fighting rages around Kostiantynivka, where Russia is losing a 'maximum' amount of troops in its bid to advance into Ukraine's fortress belt.”
The Moscow Times
