Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during a press conference with the Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Kyiv that Russia plans to mobilize an additional 300,000 soldiers in June.
This comes after Zelenskyy was asked about the number of people Ukraine intends to mobilize this year, having previously mentioned a request from the military to mobilize up to 500,000 people last December.
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“We don’t need half a million people. I am grateful to the Commander-in-Chief for the audit. As for the specific number of people who will be mobilized, I cannot disclose that information at this time. However, I can say that Russia is preparing to mobilize an additional 300,000 people by 1 June,” said Zelenskyy.
Earlier, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that the General Staff had significantly revised down the mobilization target of 500,000 Ukrainians following an audit of military units.
Russian exiled media outlet Verstka reported that the Kremlin plans to mobilize 300,000 troops for an operation to capture Kharkiv, involving the replacement of troops currently stationed near Belgorod and Kursk with conscripts and reservists.
Although no new mobilization has been announced in Russia, Putin recently signed a decree to draft 150,000 conscripts, the highest number in 8 years.
Read more:
- Can Russia take Kharkiv?
- Zelenskyy concerned about Russian offensive, expected around the end of May or June – CBS News
- Russian forces outgun Ukraine 6-to-1, new military chief says
- Russia massing 100.000 troops for potential summer offensive – Ukraine Ground Forces Chief
