Leaked claims expose cracks in Putin's war strategy

Russian general leaks that Putin's cronies are inflating battlefield gains

Fresh claims from inside Russia's military suggest the Kremlin's optimistic battlefield narrative may be masking deep concerns over manpower, recruitment and the true cost of the war in Ukraine.

According to reports cited by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), an anonymous serving Russian general claims senior commanders have privately assured President Vladimir Putin they can capture the whole of the Donbas by the end of 2026. The same source, however, reportedly argues the target is increasingly unrealistic.

Private Doubts Behind Public Confidence

The reported assessment, published by journalist Dmitry Kolezev and referenced by the ISW, suggests Russia would need to recruit around 60,000 new troops every month simply to replace battlefield losses while sustaining its offensive.

The unnamed general reportedly said current recruitment levels fall well short of that requirement, leaving Moscow facing mounting manpower shortages despite continuing offensive operations.

The claims broadly align with previous reports that Putin remains convinced Russia can secure a decisive breakthrough, despite rejecting calls for renewed ceasefire negotiations.

Attrition Strategy Faces Growing Strain

According to the reported account, the Kremlin continues to rely on a strategy of attrition, seeking to outlast Ukraine while betting that Western political support will eventually weaken.

The source also claims Moscow has exaggerated battlefield successes to reinforce the perception that Russian victory is inevitable, hoping to influence political debate in Europe and the United States.

Meanwhile, military resources are said to be concentrated heavily on operations in the Donbas, reflecting the region's strategic importance to the Kremlin's campaign.

Mobilisation Fears Gather Pace

The ISW says recent comments from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing the conflict as a "real war" may signal preparations for expanded recruitment measures.

Putin previously signed legislation allowing reservists to be deployed without announcing a full national mobilisation, creating what analysts describe as a rolling system for reinforcing frontline units while avoiding the political risks of a nationwide draft.

Whether Moscow can sustain its current strategy remains uncertain. If recruitment continues to lag behind battlefield losses, the Kremlin could face increasingly difficult choices between maintaining the war effort and managing domestic political stability, even as it publicly projects confidence in eventual victory.

Report: Russian general leaks that Putin's cronies are inflating battlefield gains