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Russia prepares to mobilize 600,000 additional soldiers in 2026-2027
Ukrainian intelligence services report that Russia is preparing to mobilize an additional 600,000 soldiers across 2026 and 2027, with plans to recruit 300,000 people in each of those years. This potential second wave of formal conscription is attributed to high battlefield losses and a significant decline in voluntary contract enlistments.
Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukrainian officials estimate Russian casualties have exceeded 1.4 million killed or wounded. In the first half of 2026 alone, intelligence estimates suggest Russia lost approximately 240,000 soldiers, including 140,000 killed or severely injured. CIA Director John Ratcliffe noted in July that the average Russian recruit faces injury or death within 20 to 30 minutes of reaching the front.
The pool of available recruits is shrinking; in several Russian regions, the number of potential volunteers—including debtors, prisoners, and migrants—has dropped by 30 to 40 percent compared to 2025. In the Kurgan region, monthly recruitment reached only 57 to 69 percent of targets, while Volgograd saw a 40 percent annual decline.
Amid fears of new mobilization, more than 113,000 Russians reportedly crossed into Georgia via the Upper Lars checkpoint last week. Meanwhile, reports indicate military exercises have been conducted in regions like Kaliningrad to test mobilization logistics.
Entities
CIA · Georgia · John Ratcliffe · Russia · Ukraine · Vladimir Putin · Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Over 1.4 million Russian soldiers have been killed or injured since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. de.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com · it.euronews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Monthly Russian military losses are estimated to be around 30,000 soldiers. www.berliner-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Russia plans to recruit 300,000 people in 2026 and another 300,000 in 2027. de.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com · it.euronews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 113,000 Russians crossed the border into Georgia via the Upper Lars checkpoint last week. stirileprotv.ro
- [● 3 SOURCES] The pool of potential recruits, including debtors, prisoners, and migrants, has decreased by 30 to 40 percent in several Russian regions compared to 2025. de.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com · it.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] In the first half of 2026, Russia lost approximately 240,000 soldiers, with 140,000 killed or seriously wounded. de.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com · it.euronews.com