Zelensky says Russia may recruit 300,000 more troops in 2027 after September vote

President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia could seek to recruit another 300,000 soldiers in 2027 as part of what he called a "peripheral mobilization", aimed at distant regions and timed after parliamentary elections scheduled from 18 to 20 September. Zelensky said Kyiv believes the drive would avoid major urban centres but added that "We believe this will not take place in central cities, but I do not think they will be able to hide it well."

Fierce fighting continues in eastern Ukraine as Russian forces press to seize the remaining industrial areas of Donbas. Kyiv says those advances are being paid for with heavy losses; Zelensky claimed Russia is suffering a "maximum" number of casualties while trying to break through the chain of Ukrainian defensive positions across Donetsk region, notably around the strategic town of Kostiantynivka.

Air strikes, production and air-defence shortfalls

Zelensky warned that Russia has stepped up its offensive and intensified air attacks on Ukrainian cities. He said Ukraine is receiving fewer Patriot interceptors than before — 264 interceptors expected in 2026, down from 364 in 2025 and 675 in 2023 — and that Moscow aims to build a capacity to produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles a year.

Over the summer Kyiv escalated strikes with drones against Russian economic infrastructure, targeting oil refineries and warehouses used by online retailers, seeking to disrupt logistics the Ukrainian government says support Russia's war effort. President Vladimir Putin, for his part, said Kyiv had opened a "Pandora's box" with attacks on economic targets and vowed retaliatory strikes against Ukraine's "most sensitive economic sectors."

Zelensky also highlighted recent Ukrainian gains in the southeast and forecast that by the end of 2026 territory held by Russian forces and land retaken by Kyiv would be roughly equal. At the same time he warned Ukraine faces another hard winter and more Russian attacks on its power network, noting that the air forces have asked for 360 interceptors.

On finances, Zelensky said Kyiv is short about $27 billion for defence spending this year after higher-than-planned consumption in the first half. He said at least $8 billion will be needed for a "normal start" to 2027, plus an additional $20 billion for soldiers' pay, compensation to families of the dead and other costs. He added that Ukraine reached agreements this year with France for at least one SAMP/T system and with Germany for around 600 PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors to be delivered by 2028.

Photo: press material from the event