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Russia is preparing to mobilize more than 500,000 people this autumn, with some expected to be sent into combat in Ukraine within weeks, according to Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
Kovalenko said some of the newly mobilized personnel would be deployed to reinforce Russian positions on the eastern front after just two weeks of preparation, while others would undergo at least a month of training for a potential new offensive direction.
He warned that Ukraine faces a difficult autumn and winter, with intense infantry fighting expected to combine manpower, drones, guided aerial bombs and other weapons.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that Moscow could launch a new wave of mobilization after Russia's State Duma elections to reduce its reliance on costly contract soldiers. Ukraine's military intelligence has also said the Kremlin is quietly preparing for broader mobilization while avoiding any public announcement to prevent domestic backlash. Reports have also suggested Russian regional authorities are pressuring businesses to supply recruits or pay financial contributions instead.
