WSJ: Russian Defense Ministry pressures Putin for a new wave of mobilization
The number of Russian war casualties has increased amid the inability to allocate enough troops for the Kursk frontline.
According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal referring to its source, the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense is continuing to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to announce a new wave of mobilization. This push comes as the Kremlin seeks to compensate for losses suffered on the battlefield.
The WSJ, citing a source in Moscow, reports that in early 2024, the Defense Ministry leadership, led by Sergei Shoigu, proposed to Putin that a mobilization be conducted before his “inauguration.” However, Putin reportedly refused, insisting on using only volunteers who sign contracts.
In July, Putin attempted to increase troop numbers by doubling the one-time payment for new recruits to 400,000 rubles (approximately $4,300 USD). Now, according to the WSJ’s sources, the Russian Defense Ministry, under new leadership, is again experiencing manpower shortages. This lack of personnel is hampering Russia’s ability to organize a large counteroffensive in the Kursk region, where Ukraine controls territory captured one and a half months ago.
“More and more people are saying that mobilization is inevitable,” one of the WSJ’s sources stated.
The pressure for another wave of mobilization is intensified by the fact that the number of Russian war casualties has increased to over 1,000 a day, as per Ukraine’s General Staff. However, the Kremlin is wary that another mobilization could disrupt the Russian public’s perception of the war, creating political risks for Putin.
Related:
- Ukrainian Parliament renames 327 towns to break away from the Soviet heritage
- US imposes new sanctions related to Russia, North Korea
- Ukraine’s electricity production plummets by 70% due to war
- Germany’s new military aid package to Ukraine includes 22 tanks and 61,000 artillery shells
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
