In a wide‑ranging statement released Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is preparing to mobilize roughly 300,000 additional troops later in 2026. Zelensky said the Kremlin is expected to complete the call‑up after its parliamentary elections next month, and that the new conscripts will likely be sent to the eastern battle zones where Ukraine continues to resist Russian advances.
Casualty figures and territorial outlook
Zelensky claimed Russia has lost 267,000 personnel since the start of the year, including about 155,000 killed. While the numbers cannot be independently verified, they align with estimates from Western defense officials. He added that, despite these losses, Russia is unlikely to expand its occupied territory beyond what it held at the beginning of the year.
Potential deployment and Ukrainian response
The Ukrainian leader said Putin may deploy the newly mobilized soldiers depending on conditions in the Donetsk region, which Ukraine is defending at roughly 20 percent of its pre‑war borders. Zelensky warned that the fresh Russian forces could be poured into the fight for Donetsk and that “they’ll lose all 300,000 of these newly mobilized Russians there; we’ll wipe them out.” He also suggested Russia might consider incursions into the northern Ukrainian oblasts of Kharkiv and Sumy, noting Russian military equipment has been observed near the border.
Air‑defense shortfalls
On the air‑defense front, Zelensky contrasted the 675 Patriot missiles supplied to Ukraine in 2023 with an expected 264 this year, describing a downward trend that depends largely on U.S. decisions. He recalled that former President Donald Trump had floated the idea of allowing Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles under license, but later retracted the suggestion.
Zelensky said Ukraine would be willing to purchase up to 10 percent of the U.S. Patriot stock if the United States agreed to transfer it, arguing such a deal could save lives and bolster diplomatic leverage. He also noted a shortage of European‑made Aster missiles, despite a pledge from French President Emmanuel Macron, and said a licensing agreement could speed up deliveries.
Long‑range strike capabilities
Ukraine continues to target Russian launch sites for ballistic missiles, which Zelensky said Russia can produce about 1,300 of each year. He highlighted Ukraine’s own growing arsenal of long‑range drones and cruise missiles used against targets inside Russia.
In addition, Kyiv is seeking permission to use Starlink satellite imagery of Russian territory. Elon Musk, owner of Starlink, expressed concern that such use could heighten the risk of escalation, but affirmed his personal desire for the war to end.
Diplomatic outlook
Zelensky suggested a window for peace negotiations may remain open through the summer of 2027, before the U.S. presidential election cycle begins. He said U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are struggling to find a format that would allow Russia to end the war without Ukraine having to abandon the Donbas or accept other unacceptable terms. The three parties are working on a single‑page summary of realistic options for ending the conflict.
The situation remains fluid, and both Ukrainian and Western officials stress the importance of continued military aid and diplomatic effort to deter further Russian escalation.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
