Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Zelenskyy Warns Russia May Mobilize 300,000 Troops for Donetsk Offensive
Ukraine’s president warned that Russia might recruit 300,000 more soldiers.
He said this could happen after Russia’s parliamentary elections.
He believes the new troops could be sent to fight in Donetsk, a region in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine still controls about one-fifth of Donetsk, including important cities.
Russia has not confirmed that it plans another large recruitment drive.
Zelenskyy also said Russian forces had suffered many losses, but those numbers cannot be independently checked.
Ukraine says it needs more air-defense missiles to protect cities and infrastructure.
Ukraine is also using drones and missiles to attack targets inside Russia.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia could mobilize 300,000 additional troops after its parliamentary elections.
Zelenskyy said the forces might be used to capture Ukraine’s remaining-held areas of Donetsk.
Ukraine retains control of roughly 20% of Donetsk, including Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Zelenskyy claimed Russia had suffered 267,000 personnel losses this year, but the figures are unverified.
Ukraine is seeking more Patriot and Aster air-defense missiles while expanding long-range strikes inside Russia.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned about a possible new Russian mobilization; Russia and Ukraine are the opposing forces involved.
- What
- Russia could call up 300,000 additional troops for its offensive in Donetsk, according to Zelenskyy.
- When
- Zelenskyy said the mobilization could follow Russia’s parliamentary elections next month and occur later this year.
- Where
- The reported buildup would potentially support fighting in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine; Ukraine is also seeking air-defense supplies from the United States and Europe.
- Why
- Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin wants his forces to complete the occupation of Donetsk by the end of the year.
Ukraine’s warning
Russia’s position
Prospect of a new mobilization
Ukraine’s warning
Zelenskyy said Kyiv expects Russia to mobilize up to 300,000 troops after the parliamentary elections, potentially recruiting outside major cities.
Russia’s position
Russia has not confirmed plans for another mobilization on the scale suggested by Ukraine.
Russian battlefield objectives
Ukraine’s warning
Zelenskyy said Putin instructed Russian generals to complete the occupation of Donetsk by the end of the year, but he does not believe they can achieve it.
Russia’s position
The articles do not provide a direct Russian assessment of the Donetsk campaign or its deadline.
Russian personnel losses
Ukraine’s warning
Zelenskyy claimed Russia had suffered 267,000 personnel losses this year, including approximately 155,000 killed.
Russia’s position
The casualty figures cannot be independently verified.
- Potential mobilization
- Up to 300,000 additional Russian troops, according to Zelenskyy.
- Possible timing
- After Russia’s parliamentary elections, which Zelenskyy said are next month.
- Key battlefield
- Donetsk, where Ukraine retains roughly 20% of the region.
- Strategic cities
- Sloviansk and Kramatorsk remain under Ukrainian control and are central to its defense.
- Claimed Russian losses
- Zelenskyy said Russia had lost 267,000 personnel this year, including about 155,000 killed; the figures are unverified.
- Air-defense missiles
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine received 675 Patriot missiles in 2023 but expects 264 this year.
- Ukraine’s request
- Kyiv said it would pay for up to 10% of the United States’ Patriot missile stockpile if supplied.