Russia Is Preparing Mobilization for the Fall, Right After the Imitation of Parliamentary Elections – Address by the President

Fellow Ukrainians!

Russia again used missiles from North Korea in its strike against Ukraine last night. Ballistic missiles were launched against Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia from several Russian regions. Tragically, there are fatalities – my condolences to all their loved ones. Dozens of people were injured in these strikes. The situation in Zaporizhzhia was particularly severe. Throughout the day today, attacks with various types of drones have also continued against frontline cities and villages – from the Sumy region to the Kherson region. The overnight missile strikes were launched from Russia’s Kursk, Rostov, Oryol and Voronezh regions. There has just been another ballistic missile threat. And when we respond to such Russian strikes – when we strike their facilities in response – this must be viewed solely as a completely justified reaction to Russia’s war, to its constant terror against Ukraine – against our people. Today, we carried out appropriate operations – mid-range and long-range sanctions – against Russia, targeting oil industry facilities, logistics, and military infrastructure. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine reported on this. We will continue – in response. Ukraine certainly does not need war. If Putin wants war so badly that he has now resorted to yet another blatant political manipulation with his sham elections, to the point that he was afraid to allow even a single party that said at least something about the need for peace on the ballot – and removed the Yabloko party – then his priorities are crystal clear. There was a report from the Defense Intelligence – Oleh Ivashchenko – on Russia’s preparations for mobilization. Everything is confirmed by internal Russian documents – they are preparing it for the fall, right after the imitation of parliamentary elections. Putin’s plan is not particularly complicated. He wants to create the impression that Russians supposedly support the war – every party still permitted to run is, one way or another, against peace. And then, after the so-called elections, he plans an additional rapid mobilization of several hundred thousand Russians by the end of the year, plus just as many more next year. This will be on top of the recruitment they are trying to carry out through contract enlistment. The Russian contingent in Ukraine is losing at least 30,000 personnel every month, 60 percent of them killed. The total size of the occupation army on our land has been gradually decreasing – thanks to our active operations and, above all, our use of drones. Putin now believes that additional mobilization and the involvement of North Korean troops will allow him to prolong this war and increase Russia’s assault activity. We are preparing for our own active operations – to make it as difficult as possible for Russia to carry out such plans. I have assigned the relevant tasks to our intelligence agencies and Ukraine’s special services.

And one more point.

There was a report from our negotiating team. We passed our proposals to the American side. America can help strengthen our defense, first and foremost through air defense, and it can put pressure on Russia so that its plans change – from prolonging the war to preparing to end it. I thank everyone who is helping us defend Ukraine, our people, and our independence. And please, take care of yourselves and heed air raid alerts.

Glory to Ukraine!