Kremlin Denies Reports of New Russian Mobilization

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has dismissed reports of a potential new Russian mobilization as fabricated stories. In an interview with the Russian media outlet RTVI on August 25, Peskov accused Ukrainian authorities of spreading these claims to ideologically destabilize the situation in Russia. The statements follow reports that Russia may mobilize up to 300,000 people in the fall, a claim specifically mentioned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 23. Zelensky suggested the plan involves a peripheral mobilization that avoids major cities to limit public backlash. While the Kremlin denies these plans, reports of a new mobilization have circulated for several weeks among Ukrainian officials, Western media, and other sources. Both reports note that Peskov previously denied mobilization plans on September 13, 2022, just eight days before President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of approximately 300,000 reservists. A center leaning source adds further context by noting that Russia has previously dismissed warnings of its February 2022 invasion and that analysts believe Moscow would only mobilize under severe pressure due to political risks.