Russia is not currently showing signs of an expanded mobilization effort, but is actively preparing its population through information and propaganda campaigns, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.
This was stated by Andriy Yusov during comments to journalists at the international forum “Security Architecture”.
Yusov said there is no noticeable acceleration or structural change in Russia’s mobilization system at present. However, he noted that the topic is increasingly present in Russia’s information space.
“There is no active or sharp change right now, but this topic is present in the information field, because the local population is constantly being prepared to sacrifice themselves for Putin,” he said.
According to him, Russian authorities continue to shape public perception through propaganda, even if this has not translated into a surge in volunteer recruitment.
“In a closed society, propaganda can create a distorted reality and sustain it,” Yusov added, noting that there are no visible queues of volunteers despite the messaging effort.
In separate remarks, Yusov stressed that mobilization activities in Russia have not stopped since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and continue alongside efforts to recruit foreign fighters.
He said the scale of recruitment is largely aimed at compensating battlefield losses, but remains insufficient to fully cover them.
“Recruitment work and mobilization measures in Russia have not stopped throughout the entire period of the full-scale invasion and continue today. They are also trying to involve foreign mercenaries. The logic is simple: losses must be replaced, but recruitment only barely covers what is lost on the battlefield,” he said.
Yusov also said the Kremlin is facing growing pressure to find new solutions to sustain manpower levels, noting that prison recruitment and other limited sources are becoming insufficient.
“This crisis for Putin is growing, and it is obvious they will take additional measures,” he added.
Ukrainian intelligence assesses that while Russia continues to maintain its mobilization system, it is increasingly relying on a combination of recruitment channels to offset ongoing losses in the war.
