Zelenskyy Warns of Russian Mobilization

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is preparing a new mobilization campaign for the fall, following what he described as sham parliamentary elections. In an address published Aug. 11, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had identified plans to recruit several hundred thousand additional personnel by the end of the year, with further mobilization expected next year.

Zelenskyy said the assessment was based on what Ukrainian officials described as internal Russian documents. He alleged that Russian authorities intend to use the elections to create the appearance of public support for the war before expanding recruitment. The claims have not been independently verified in the address.

The president also reported that Russian forces had launched missile and drone attacks against Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and frontline areas. He said the strikes caused deaths and injured dozens of people, while alleging that some of the missiles were supplied by North Korea. Zelenskyy said Ukraine had carried out retaliatory operations targeting Russian oil, logistics and military facilities.

According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces are suffering at least 30,000 personnel losses each month, with about 60% allegedly killed. He said Ukraine was preparing further operations to counter Russia’s plans and had submitted proposals to the United States seeking greater air-defense support and pressure on Moscow to end the war.