Zelensky: Russia has actually already begun additional mobilization

Russia has actually already begun additional mobilization and is increasing the number of people it is attracting into the army through various means. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Russia has actually already begun carrying out additional mobilization. They are increasing the number of people being recruited into the army through various methods,” — the head of state said in his address.

At the same time, this is not about a new wave of mobilization officially announced by the Kremlin, but about expanding the recruitment of personnel through various mechanisms.

Zelensky's statement came on the day when Vladimir Putin once again increased the established number of the Russian Armed Forces. According to a decree dated September 28, the staff of the RF Armed Forces grew to 2,441,630 people, including 1,550,500 military personnel. Compared with the previous decree, the number of direct military personnel has been increased by 15.5 thousand people.

Ukrainian intelligence previously warned that the Russian leadership is considering additional expansion of mobilization on a much larger scale. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense and the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, the Russian General Staff has prepared a variant of an additional recruitment of 600 thousand people during 2026–2027 — 300 thousand each year.

The intelligence linked such plans to the high losses of the Russian army and the slowdown in the pace of contract recruitment in the regions. According to Ukrainian data, in January–July 2026 Russia's personnel losses amounted to about 240 thousand people, while under contract during this period it managed to attract less than 232 thousand people.

At the same time, control over military registration is being strengthened in Russia, and the categories of citizens who can be called up for service are being expanded. Ukrainian intelligence also reported on the preparation of additional mechanisms for recruiting prisoners and other measures of coercion to military service.

Thus, the increase in the staffing strength of the Russian army itself does not mean the formal announcement of a new mobilization, but it is happening against the background of Ukrainian intelligence data about the Kremlin preparing an additional mass recruitment of personnel.

Based on materials: Volodymyr Zelensky, Office of the President of Ukraine.