Putin prepares to mobilize up to 500,000 Russians, says Zelensky

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that following the State Duma elections, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin intends to carry out a mobilization and plans to call up between 300,000 and 500,000 people.

The president made this statement in an interview with Sky News, Ukrinform reports, citing his Telegram channel, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“Putin is not ready to stop this war. I've got the brief from intelligence. He is preparing for mobilization. He wants to do it after the elections on the 21st of September. He wants to increase mobilization in his country. Not very openly because he is afraid of his society, but he will do it in the first days of October. If we don't bring him problems with logistics, petroleum, diesel and if our partners do not push total sanctions against his aggression,” Zelensky said.

The president noted that the Kremlin leader aims to mobilize between 300,000 and 500,000 Russians.

“It will be a big problem because he will count on mobilization from 300000 to 500000. So I think it's not difficult for him to mobilize these people. Yes, he will have internal questions about it. I saw the polls; his society is against the mobilization,” he stated.

Zelensky emphasized that a significant percentage of the Russian population also opposes the war, yet they still support Putin.

“He will not be able to train them quickly. Again, it means he will push on the battlefield people who are not well-trained and will not be trained. It means a lot of losses,” the president emphasized.

As reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin intends to expand the war against Ukraine and intensify attacks on the country, that he needs more Russians to participate in the assaults, and that Ukraine must take preemptive measures to defend itself against this.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine