Putin wants to draft 300,000 new troops, Zelenskiy says

Reuters ^ | August 23, 2026 | Max Hunder and Dan Peleschuk

[MinorityRepublican]

Ukraine thinks Russia is planning ​to draft an additional 300,000 troops for its war effort after Russian parliamentary elections in mid-September, Ukrainian President ‌Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Moscow's forces are pressing ahead with an effort to capture the rest of eastern Ukraine's industrialised Donbas region, where its troops have ground forward at what Kyiv says is a great cost.

In comments to reporters released on Sunday, Zelenskiy said Russia could draft more ​troops in 2027 to reach an overall goal of 500,000, part of what he described as a "peripheral mobilisation" ​targeting Russia's far-flung regions.

"We believe it will not take place in the central cities," he said. "But ⁠I don't think they will be able to hide it very well."

Parliamentary elections in Russia are set for September ​18 to 20.

As fighting rages around the strategic city of Kostiantynivka, Zelenskiy said Russia was losing a "maximum" amount of troops in ​its bid to advance into Ukraine's so-called fortress belt of eastern cities.

He also hailed recent gains by Kyiv's troops in southeastern Ukraine, adding that the amount of territory occupied by Russia and liberated by Ukrainian forces in 2026 would be equal.

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TOPICS: Ukraine
KEYWORDS: 200000deserters; 300000deadmen; 4yearsstillnotourwar; 55monthsoffailure; azovrecruitersonline; canadablowsdude; failedinvasion; newwidows; notourwar; ohnoanyway; zeepersarerinosdude; zelenskiysayslol

[frank ballenger]

Good place for Haitian and Somalian immigrants to go. Barracks instead of four star US hotels.

Film star Steven Seagall actually did emigrate to Russia. A proud close friend and supporter of Putin. Russian resident since 2016. Maintains dual citizenship in Serbia. Owns property in Arizona and California but “doesn’t spend much time there.”

“One of his most notable Moscow residences is a two-story mansion in the Rublyovka area (Usovo), located along the prestigious Rublyovo-Uspenskoye Highway. The property, purchased in 2018, features three bedrooms, a private cinema, a wine room, a home office, and a traditional Russian bathhouse.” From Moscow Times.

[BAN-ONE]

“By golly, we need another 300,000 troops... Fire off a message to Zelenskiy! Forthwith! Chop Chop!” We must keep him informed on our intentions! - Vladdy Putin

... ... ...

“Message received.. We will inform comrads at freerepublic... they will take it from here!” - regards, Volod Z

[Its All Over Except ...]

If Zelensky says it, if Von Der Leyen concurs, amd western media reports it as true, then it’s true!

Typical response: then that’s means you believe what Putin says (When I actually don’t trust either of them).

This is the current political state we are in.

Kinda like if someone on X mocks the deplorable state India is in on they are called Pakistani by Indians.

[BobL]

For some reason Zelesky seems quite worried about Russia’s draft, even though he’s likely not subject to it. Strange behavior.

[canuck_conservative]

And those 300,000 will be sent into combat with minimal training and equipment ... making them but easy targets for battle-hardened Ukrainian troops

Gonna be a lot of new widows in Russia this winter

[McGruff]

Why would anyone believe what this clown says?

[cloudmountain]

Steven Seagall is a buddy of Putin.
Well, he's either on my ***hol* list or he is a moron.
Well, I won't be watching ay more of HIS movies.

[cloudmountain]

And those 300,000 will be sent into combat with minimal training and equipment ... making them but easy targets for battle-hardened Ukrainian troops
Gonna be a lot of new widows in Russia this winter

And where is Putin getting more rubles to buy anything but vodka?

[House Atreides]

“ And those 300,000 will be sent into combat with minimal training and equipment ... making them but easy targets for battle-hardened Ukrainian troops

Gonna be a lot of new widows in Russia this winter”
**************************************************

I don’t know if it changed but (as long as Ukraine remains a “special military operation”) it used to be that Russian draftees could not be sent overseas but would only serve inside Russia proper… frequently in border areas near Ukraine. Just sayin’.

[Da Coyote]

Putin’s only accomplishment appears to be killing all ambulatory males in Russia. Oh well, perhaps the Muzzies will direct their Eye of Sauron in that direction, giving us the chance to push the muzzie flushing handle about a zillion times.

[alexander_busek]

I don’t know if it changed but (as long as Ukraine remains a “special military operation”) it used to be that Russian draftees could not be sent overseas but would only serve inside Russia proper… frequently in border areas near Ukraine. Just sayin’.

But Novorossiya is an integral part of Russia proper, dontcha know!? Putin himself has repeatedly said so!

The name [Novorossiya = "New Russia"] received renewed emphasis when Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview on 17 April 2014 that the territories of Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa were part of what was called Novorossiya.

Then there's this:

Putin’s comments came on June 20 [2025] during his headliner appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a flagship annual event that is often referred to as Russia’s Davos. “I have said many times that I consider the Russian and Ukrainian peoples to be one people. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours,” Putin told forum guests. “We have an old rule. Wherever a Russian soldier sets foot is ours.”

So Putin is essentially free to deploy his conscripts practically anywhere he likes!

Regards,