Russia preparing to mobilise 600,000 in new wave, Ukrainian intelligence services say

Russia's General Staff has drawn up a plan to mobilise an additional 600,000 people in 2026-2027, with 300,000 to be called up each year. Most of them are expected to reinforce units fighting against Ukraine and newly formed military units.

Source: a briefing by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the Foreign Intelligence Service, which has been released on the President's Office website

Quote: "Ukraine has information that the Russian General Staff has already prepared a scenario for the additional mobilisation of 600,000 people within the specified time frames this year and next.

First and foremost, they plan to bring up to full strength the formations and military units fighting against Ukrainians, as well as units of the Russian armed forces that are currently being formed."

Details: The Ukrainian intelligence agencies said Russia is considering additional mobilisation because of mounting battlefield losses and a slowdown in the recruitment of contract soldiers.

Between January and July 2026, Russia lost around 240,000 personnel, including at least 140,000 killed or otherwise permanently lost. In the same period, 232,000 people were recruited under contract.

As part of preparations for a new wave of mobilisation, Russia is amending its legislation, tightening military registration requirements and expanding recruitment among convicts. People convicted of offences such as trafficking weapons, explosives, radioactive materials and drugs, as well as banditry, involvement in criminal organisations and organising illegal migration, could be allowed to serve.

The Russian leadership has also approved the recruitment of certain categories of female convicts for mobilisation or contract service.

The mobilised personnel could receive between 15 and 60 days' training. Ukrainian intelligence agencies say some may be trained at military training grounds in Belarus.

Internal Russian documents reportedly justify the need for mobilisation in part by growing dissatisfaction with the war in Russia's regions – reaching as high as 69% in some areas – and a decline in the number of people willing to sign military contracts.

Russia has introduced digital call-up notices and is preparing to introduce additional restrictions, including bans on leaving the country, taking out loans and conducting property transactions, as well as the revocation of driving licences and freezing of bank accounts.

Ukraine's intelligence agencies believe that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is most likely to make a decision on additional mobilisation after the State Duma elections on 18-20 September.

Previously: The Wall Street Journal reported that the Russian military had conducted an exercise in Kaliningrad Oblast in July to test procedures for mobilising local residents.

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