Ukraine says Russia preparing to mobilize 600,000 troops
Ukrainian intelligence says Moscow plans to call up 300,000 this year and 300,000 in 2027 amid heavy losses and falling voluntary enlistment.
Ukraine's military intelligence agencies say Russia is preparing a fresh, large-scale mobilization that would add 600,000 troops over 2026 and 2027, as Moscow struggles with higher battlefield losses and weakening voluntary enlistment.
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine and the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine report that the Russian leadership has already decided on the measure and plans to call up 300,000 soldiers this year and another 300,000 in 2027.
Casualties and recruitment pressure
According to Ukrainian estimates, in the first half of 2026 Russia suffered roughly 240,000 personnel losses, of which 140,000 were killed or seriously wounded. At the same time, Ukrainian agencies say some 232,000 people signed contracts with the Russian armed forces in that period.
Ukrainian officials argue the combination of heavy casualties and a drop in voluntary recruitment is pushing Moscow toward a second formal wave of mobilization. The intelligence assessments warn the scale under discussion would represent one of the largest call-ups since the conflict intensified.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expects any announcement of the mobilization decision to come after the parliamentary elections in Russia scheduled for 18–20 September.
Western and regional observers are likely to watch for concrete steps such as mobilization orders, expanded conscription lists or new recruitment drives that would confirm Kyiv’s assessment. For now, the claim comes from Ukrainian intelligence statements rather than a Russian government announcement.
Photo: AP)
