Ukrainian General Staff reveals scale of new mobilization in Russia

"Due to catastrophic losses among the occupiers, it is expected that a large-scale forced mobilization of the population will soon commence in the Russian Federation and on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. According to various estimates, the numbers for this mobilization could range from 400,000 to 700,000 individuals," states the summary released on September 11.

The General Staff also said that this time around, about 40,000 residents of the Chechen Republic are expected to be called up, likely to be used as "blocking units" behind Russian forces. However, the planned mobilization figures for the populations of Moscow and St. Petersburg remain minimal.

"Once again, average citizens from various Russian regions will be sent to the front lines as 'cannon fodder,' with Chechen residents acting as a backup force," military sources added.

Mobilization in Russia

Previously, Ukrainian intelligence had indicated that a new wave of mobilization might be declared in Russia to replenish the occupying forces in Ukraine, possibly in September. Due to the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Russia is deploying unprepared soldiers to the Ukrainian front, many of whom were recently mobilized. This is happening on the temporarily occupied territory of the Luhansk region.

In September 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization due to losses in the war against Ukraine. To expedite the mobilization process, Russia proposed notifying conscripts of their call-up through SMS and sought to increase fines related to mobilization. These fines would apply to those who fail to report to military enlistment offices and those who do not provide lists of draft-eligible individuals, with penalties ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 Russian rubles.