Russia prepares to mobilize 500,000 troops for Ukraine war

Russia is preparing to mobilize more than 500,000 people this fall. Some of them will reportedly be sent to the front in Ukraine almost immediately, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council.

"Russia is preparing to mobilize at least 500,000 people in the fall. Some are reportedly planned to be thrown into battle within the first two weeks to plug gaps in the east, while others will undergo training for a month in preparation for a potential opening of a new front. This is Russia's plan," Kovalenko said.

He noted that Ukraine is likely to face an extremely intense fall and winter.

Ukrainian troops will have to endure very difficult infantry battles involving soldiers, drones, glide bombs, and "other tools of killing."

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia could launch a new wave of mobilization after the State Duma elections. This would allow Moscow to avoid the significant costs associated with recruiting contract soldiers.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency, the HUR, also said that Russia was secretly preparing for a nationwide mobilization to continue its war against Ukraine.

The Russian leadership is currently avoiding any public mention of a general mobilization due to concerns about public dissatisfaction.

It was also reported that Russian regional authorities have beenpressuring businesses to provide personnel for the war against Ukraine. Those unwilling or unable to do so have reportedly been offered the option of paying a "ransom" instead.

Russia prepares to mobilize 500,000 troops for Ukraine war