Zelensky Warns of New Russian Mobilization After Elections

Russia plans to mobilize another 300,000 soldiers for the war in Ukraine following the September parliamentary elections, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference. Moscow could call up hundreds of thousands more people in 2027 with the aim of occupying the rest of the Donetsk Region, he said.

Zelensky also highlighted a shortage of air defense missiles. Ukraine is set to receive 264 PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles for its Patriot systems in 2026, while the Air Force is requesting 360 missiles for the coming winter. An agreement has been reached with Germany for the delivery of 600 PAC-2 missiles in 2027 and 2028, he said. France is set to provide at least one SAMP/T system this year.

Zelensky also said Russia could increase its production capacity to as many as 1,300 ballistic missiles per year. He expects the area of territory Russia occupies in 2026 to be roughly the same as the territory liberated by Ukraine.

(Reuters, sab)