Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia is preparing to assemble at least 300,000 additional troops to continue its war against Ukraine. He said the mobilization could begin after Russia’s parliamentary elections in September, according to the report published on August 24, 2026.

Zelenskyy said Russia may also seek to recruit about 500,000 more personnel in 2027. He said Russian forces are trying to advance in Donetsk and other areas of eastern Ukraine, but have not captured major territory despite suffering heavy losses of troops and equipment.

He also said Russia is increasing missile production while Ukraine faces a shortage of Patriot missiles used in its air-defence system. Zelenskyy warned that Russian forces could launch major attacks on Ukraine’s electricity and energy infrastructure during winter. He called for additional air-defence systems and missiles for Ukraine, and said agreements on the issue had been reached with France and Germany. Moscow had not immediately confirmed his claim of a planned 300,000-person mobilization.