Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Russia is planning to mobilize an additional 300,000 troops to support its ongoing war efforts, according to reports. He indicated that this mobilization is expected to occur following Russia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18-20.
Zelensky further predicted that by 2027, Moscow might increase its military personnel to a total of 500,000, as part of what he termed a “peripheral mobilization” targeting remote regions of Russia. He expressed skepticism about the success of such a mobilization in central cities, suggesting that it would be difficult for Russia to conceal these plans.
In the midst of fierce fighting around the strategically significant city of Kostiantynivka, Zelensky noted that Russia is experiencing maximum troop losses as it attempts to advance in the fortified areas of eastern Ukraine. He applauded recent gains made by Ukrainian forces in southeastern Ukraine, asserting that the territory occupied by Russia would equal that reclaimed by Ukrainian troops by 2026.
Decrease in Interceptor Missile Deliveries
In his statements, Zelensky also discussed military supplies, revealing that Ukraine anticipates receiving a total of 264 interceptor missiles in 2026, a significant drop from the 364 received in 2025 and the 675 in 2023. He highlighted Russia’s objective to develop a capacity to produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles annually.
This summer, Ukraine has escalated its drone attack campaign against Russian economic infrastructure, targeting oil refineries and online retail warehouses to disrupt what it considers essential resources for Russia’s war efforts. Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that Ukraine has opened a “Pandora’s box” by attacking economic targets and warned that Russia would retaliate against Ukraine’s most sensitive economic sectors.
