Putin weighs new Russian mobilization for Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly considering a new general mobilization, the first since the failed effort in September 2022. Russian intelligence platform Vyorstka says the Kremlin faces mounting pressure to restore front‑line strength as army losses exceed 35,000 people each month and recruitment has fallen dramatically. In the first quarter of this year, about 800 men signed contracts daily, a drop of more than one‑third compared with the same period last year.

The decline has spurred an exodus of roughly 700,000 Russians – a number equal to the entire Russian force fighting in Ukraine – predominantly young, highly educated men. This outflow has also withdrawn about 11.5% of all Russian bank savings. Kremlin officials have thus begun preparations to avoid the mistakes of the 2022 mobilization, aiming to train and deploy tens of thousands of new conscripts after the parliamentary elections scheduled for 18‑20 September, with implementation potentially moving into October.

Crimean authorities have declared a state of emergency over recent Ukrainian attacks on power infrastructure, highlighting broader logistical strains as Russia confronts a dwindling pool of volunteers and relies increasingly on prisoners, migrants, and debtors for manpower.