Putin continues to insist Russia is not preparing for mobilisation, claiming people are joining up voluntarily
Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has once again insisted that he is not currently considering additional mobilisation, describing reports about it as an "information attack" ahead of elections to Russia's State Duma.
Source: Russian news agency Interfax, citing Putin's remarks at a plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum
Quote: "At present there is no scenario that would require mobilisation. This is an information attack by the enemy ahead of the State Duma elections, aimed at influencing the result. It is simply a planned information operation."
Details: Putin claimed that in Russia, "as is well known, people go [to fight – ed.] voluntarily and sign contracts voluntarily".
He acknowledged that combat operations are "a complicated and difficult undertaking, and of course many problems arise, which we are addressing".
"But in terms of the availability of military personnel, we have no problems whatsoever," Putin claimed.
Background: Putin has repeatedly sought to convince the public that Russia is not preparing for mobilisation.
At a press conference following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, he dismissed reports that preparations are underway for mobilisation after the State Duma elections as "utter nonsense".
Previously:
- Ukrainian intelligence recently reported that Russia's General Staff has drawn up a plan for the additional mobilisation of 600,000 people in 2026-2027 – 300,000 each year. They are expected to be used primarily to reinforce units fighting against Ukraine and to staff new military units.
- The Wall Street Journal has reported that the Russian military held exercises in Kaliningrad Oblast in July to test procedures for mobilising local residents.
- In May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Putin's regime had set an objective of increasing the size of Russia's occupation forces, which proves that Moscow has no genuine intention of engaging in peace talks.
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