Russia plans to carry out a large-scale mobilisation in the fall of 2026, drafting more than 500,000 people. Some of the new recruits are expected to be sent to the front in Ukraine almost immediately.
This was reported by Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council.
"Russia is preparing a mobilisation of 500,000 people for the autumn campaign. Some are planned to be thrown into combat in the first two weeks to plug gaps in the east; others will be trained for a month for the potential opening of a new front direction. That is Russia’s plan," Kovalenko said.
According to him, the autumn and winter will be extremely difficult for Ukraine.
Kovalenko noted that Ukrainian troops will have to withstand intense fighting in which Russia will actively use not only manpower, but also drones, guided aerial bombs (KABs), and other means of destruction.
- The Foreign Intelligence Service reported new trends in Russia’s campaign to recruit contract servicemen for the war against Ukraine.