1 week ago

Zelenskiy Says Putin Plans New 300,000-Troop Russian Draft

Zelenskiy Says Putin Plans New 300,000-Troop Russian Draft
President Putin wants to draft 300,000 new troops, President Zelenskiy says · CNBC TV 18

Ukraine’s president says Russia may bring 300,000 more people into its army.

He believes this could happen after Russia’s parliamentary elections in September.

He also says Russia might recruit more people in 2027.

Russian and Ukrainian forces are still fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine says Russia is losing many troops while trying to advance.

Ukraine is also worried about more attacks on its cities and power system during winter.

Its air defenses need more missiles to stop Russian attacks.

Ukraine says it has agreements with France and Germany for additional air-defense equipment.

Zelenskiy says Ukraine also needs much more money to continue the war.

Key facts

Possible new Russian draft
Ukraine estimates Russia may draft 300,000 additional troops after the September parliamentary elections.
Potential 2027 target
Zelenskiy says Russia could seek an overall force of 500,000 through further recruitment in 2027.
Russian elections
Russia’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for September 18–20.
Patriot interceptors
Ukraine expects 264 interceptors in 2026, compared with 364 in 2025 and 675 in 2023.
Air-defense agreements
Zelenskiy says Ukraine reached an agreement with France for at least one SAMP/T system and with Germany for about 600 PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors through 2028.
Defense funding gap
Ukraine says it faces a $27 billion defense funding gap this year.

Quotes

Volodymyr Zelenskiy

President of Ukraine and source of the troop-mobilisation assessment

“We believe it will not take place in the central cities. But I don’t think they will be able to hide it very well.”
CNBC TV 18
“Pandora’s box”
CNBC TV 18

Sources

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