Emmanuel Macron warns of potential Russian mobilization of 300,000 troops

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that intelligence services from Europe, the United States, and Ukraine indicate Russia is preparing to mobilize approximately 300,000 additional troops for the war in Ukraine. Macron stated that following recent elections, it is clear Russia intends to undertake this mobilization, though it remains uncertain whether the move will be announced publicly or conducted without official notice.

Macron suggested this potential mobilization signals Russia's readiness to make greater sacrifices to seize control of the entire Donbas region. This warning follows previous assessments from the Ukrainian Presidency suggesting Russia could call up up to 600,000 people between 2026 and 2027 due to declining voluntary recruitment rates.

Concurrently, Ukraine has faced renewed Russian aerial attacks. Recent drone and missile strikes targeting Kyiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia resulted in seven deaths, including a 14-year-old. These strikes also forced the closure of Ukraine's largest steel producer, impacting a sector that previously accounted for 15% of the country's exports.