Kremlin Spokesman Calls Ukraine Conflict a 'Real War' as Experts Warn of Possible Mobilisation

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told German media that the war in Ukraine is a "real war," abandoning the usual reference to a "special military operation." Analysts such as political scientist Andreas Umland and Russia‑expert Alexey Yusupov said the shift signals a tougher domestic stance and may be intended to portray Russia as a victim of Western aggression.

The experts noted worsening conditions inside Russia, including fuel shortages in Moscow and the Crimean region, and slow progress on the front lines. Umland warned that the rhetoric could precede a forced mobilisation of men of military age ahead of the September 2026 presidential election, though he and Yusupov both judged an immediate large‑scale mobilisation unlikely because it could trigger panic and erode public tolerance.

Both commentators stressed that the Kremlin’s message is aimed at deterring further Western support for Ukraine, while German security agencies have flagged the statement as a possible escalation that could increase the threat to Germany.