--- title: "Kremlin's 2026 Plan: GUR Reveals Details of New Mobilization Wave and Prisoner 'Recruitment'" description: "🚨 GUR reveals Kremlin's plans for 2026: a new wave of mobilization and mass recruitment of prisoners. General Skibitsky stated that the decision on mobilization will be made by Putin after the elections. πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί πŸ“‰ The 2026 plan is to recruit 409,000 people. To this end, Russia has passed a law allowing murderers, rapists, and members of organized criminal groups to sign contracts. Already 28,000 prisoners are in the ranks. 🚁 Recruitment for UAS forces has failed: the plan is fulfilled by only 30%. πŸ‘‰ Read the full analysis in our article." date: 2026-08-18T06:14:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kremlins-2026-plan-gur-reveals-details-of-new-mobilization-wave-and-prisoner-recruitment tags: [ukraine-war, russia-mobilization, vadim-skibitsky, gur-ukraine, vladimir-putin] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Kremlin's 2026 Plan: GUR Reveals Details of New Mobilization Wave and Prisoner 'Recruitment' ![Vladimir Putin at desk with documents, Russian flag in background β€” illustration of Kremlin’s 2026 mobilization and prisoner recruitment plan](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/18/plan-kremlia-na-2026-god-gur-raskrylo-detal-novoy-volny-mobilizatsii/plan-kremlia-na-2026-god-gur-raskrylo-detal-novoy-volny-mobilizatsii-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The decision on a new mobilization will be made by Putin after the elections in Russia. - The Kremlin's 2026 plan includes the recruitment of 409,000 people. - Russia has passed a law allowing convicts for serious crimes to sign contracts. - Recruitment for unmanned systems forces has failed; the plan is fulfilled by 30%. Amid a protracted conflict and the approaching elections in Russia, the question of Moscow's readiness for a new mobilization has become central to assessing future war scenarios. Vadym Skibitsky, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, stated in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that the final decision to launch a new wave of mobilization will be made by Vladimir Putin only after the elections. However, according to the general, preparations for this process are already in full swing, and Ukrainian intelligence is recording relevant indicators. ### Strategy of 'Ramping Up' Before Elections According to Ukrainian intelligence data, the Kremlin is using the remaining time before the elections to conduct active offensive operations on those sections of the front where it is still possible. Skibitsky noted that a hidden mobilization is impossible to conduct under modern conditions, and Moscow is already prepared for it, relying on Putin's 2022 decree, which remains in force. The general reminded that the Russian military has experience conducting a partial mobilization, which began in October 2022, with the main combat units deployed by January 2023. ### Manpower Crisis and the Plan for 409,000 People An important aspect of the current situation is the shortage of personnel. The Russian command is trying to form new divisions based on existing brigades but is facing a lack of people. The situation with the staffing of unmanned systems (UAS) forces is of particular concern. As Skibitsky reported, the recruitment plan for this sector is being fulfilled by only 30%, despite leadership expectations of a mass influx of students. As a result, Moscow is forced to take personnel from other branches of the armed forces, leading to a general failure of recruitment plans. ### 'Criminal Contingent' as a Resource for War To implement the ambitious plan to recruit 409,000 people in 2026, the Kremlin has taken radical measures. A law was passed significantly reducing the list of crimes that prohibit signing a contract with the army. According to a GUR representative, only 'traitors to the motherland', pedophiles, and political convicts remain prohibited. All other categories, including murderers, rapists, members of organized criminal groups, and drug traffickers, can now legally sign contracts. To date, 28,000 people from this category have already signed contracts with the Russian military department. ### Contradictory Data There is a discrepancy in assessments of the current effectiveness of recruitment. On the one hand, Skibitsky claims that the recruitment of contract soldiers has 'slumped' and is at the level of 98%, but clarifies that this is the number of volunteers. On the other hand, he categorically states: 'There is no democracy there, everyone will go to the army.' This creates uncertainty regarding how voluntary the recruitment remains in reality and how quickly it could turn into forced conscription in the event of a decision on a new mobilization. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: When will the decision on a new mobilization in Russia be made? **A:** According to General Skibitsky, the decision will be made by Vladimir Putin after the elections in Russia. ### Q: How many people does Russia plan to recruit in 2026? **A:** According to the Kremlin's plan, 409,000 people are planned to be recruited in 2026. ### Q: Who can sign contracts in the Russian army now? **A:** After the adoption of the new law, contracts can be signed by convicts for murder, rape, members of organized criminal groups, and drug traffickers. Only 'traitors to the motherland', pedophiles, and political convicts remain prohibited.