Putin Poised to Mobilize Up to 500,000 Russians After Parliamentary Elections

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Sky News on July 27 that President Vladimir Putin is preparing to call up between 300,000 and 500,000 additional Russian soldiers at the start of October. Zelenskyy said the mobilization would follow Russia’s September 21 State Duma elections and would be “covert” because the Kremlin fears domestic backlash.

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The full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainian military and Western estimates place Russian casualties at roughly 1.4 million. In the fall of 2022, a prior mobilization of 300,000 reservists sparked nationwide protests and prompted tens of thousands of men to leave the country. A May poll by the independent Levada Center found only one in four Russians still supported the war.

Newsweek

Recruitment shortfalls have forced Moscow to rely on volunteers, convicts and foreign fighters, including about 12,000 North Korean soldiers and a planned additional 30,000 from North Korea. Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service reported that Russia missed its army-recruitment target by roughly 30,000 people in the first three months of 2026, prompting higher sign-on bonuses.

Newsweek

• 1.4 million Russian casualties (Ukrainian military and Western estimates).

Newsweek

• 221,000 Russians have joined the Russian military so far this year (Zelenskyy).

Newsweek

• 225,500 Russian casualties reported for the same period (Zelenskyy).

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• Recruitment shortfall of ?30,000 in early 2026 (Ukraine’s foreign intelligence).

Newsweek

• 12,000 North Korean troops currently serving with Russian forces; 30,000 more slated for deployment.

Newsweek

• Potential new mobilization size: 300,000–500,000 troops.

Newsweek

Zelenskyy warned that the planned call-up would strain Russia’s military infrastructure, forcing commanders to send poorly trained conscripts directly into combat and likely resulting in heavy losses. He emphasized that Western logistical support and sanctions could hinder the mobilization.

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The Russian Ministry of Defense has not provided comment. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later dismissed a separate Kazakh proposal for a cease-fire, stating that while Kazakhstan is a close partner, Russia does not agree with the suggestion.

Zelensky Says He Believes Putin Is Preparing to Mobilize Half a Million Russians and Send Them to the Front

• “Putin is not ready to stop this war,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ukrainian president

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• “This will become a big problem, because he will count on mobilizing 300,000 to 500,000 people,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ukrainian president

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• “He will not be able to quickly prepare these people,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ukrainian president

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• “With [security] guarantees from the great powers, including Russia, we could move forward toward a long-awaited peace,” — Jomart Tokayev, president

Zelensky Says He Believes Putin Is Preparing to Mobilize Half a Million Russians and Send Them to the Front

• “No one knows how to resolve this situation because both sides have their own positions. It is a shame; young people are dying,” — Jomart Tokayev, president

Zelensky Says He Believes Putin Is Preparing to Mobilize Half a Million Russians and Send Them to the Front

• “Tokayev has repeatedly spoken about the issue of Ukraine. He has a consistent position. This does not mean that we agree. But Kazakhstan is our closest partner and our closest ally,” — Dmitry Peskov, kremlin spokesman

Zelensky Says He Believes Putin Is Preparing to Mobilize Half a Million Russians and Send Them to the Front

The September 21 parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place, after which Zelenskyy expects a covert mobilization to begin in early October if logistical and sanction pressures are not intensified. Ukrainian officials say that disrupting Russian supply lines and maintaining strong sanctions are essential to preventing the large-scale call-up.

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