Putin Plans to Draft 300,000 More Russian Troops After September Elections, Zelensky Says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to mobilize an additional 300,000 troops after Russia’s parliamentary elections in September, a claim that could signal preparations for a prolonged war in Ukraine.
Zelensky made the claim as fighting continues and uncertainty remains over efforts to reach a negotiated end to the conflict.
Russia has not independently confirmed plans for a new mobilization of 300,000 troops.
Zelensky Warns of Major Russian Mobilization
According to Zelensky, Russia could move forward with the additional troop mobilization after the September elections.
If carried out, adding hundreds of thousands of personnel could significantly increase Russia’s available manpower and reinforce concerns that Moscow is preparing for a longer conflict rather than an imminent peace agreement.
However, the figure remains a claim from the Ukrainian president and has not been officially announced by the Kremlin.
Russia Increasing Military Production
Zelensky also said Russia is expanding its production of ballistic missiles and other military equipment.
Ukraine and its Western partners have repeatedly warned about Russia’s ability to maintain large-scale weapons production despite years of sanctions and economic pressure.
Continued expansion of Russia’s military capabilities could have major implications for Ukraine as well as NATO countries supporting Kyiv.
What Could It Mean for Peace Efforts?
The claim comes as international efforts to find a diplomatic path toward ending the Russia–Ukraine war continue to face major obstacles.
A new Russian mobilization on the scale described by Zelensky could raise further questions about the prospects for a near-term peace agreement.
For now, attention will turn to Moscow for any official indication of whether another large mobilization is being prepared after the September elections.
The coming weeks could therefore be critical for both the battlefield and diplomatic efforts surrounding the war.