In an interview with the TSN channel, published by RBK-Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced alarming forecasts regarding the Kremlin's strategy for the autumn of 2026. According to the head of the Ukrainian state, Vladimir Putin is preparing a large-scale mobilization that will not be officially declared. The goal of this operation goes beyond purely military tasks on the front lines: the Kremlin intends to use hundreds of thousands of mobilized troops as a tool of psychological pressure on Europe and the West.
Strategy of "Shadow" Mobilization and Border Blockades
Zelenskyy described in detail the methods that, according to his information, the Russian leadership is using to replenish the ranks of the armed forces, avoiding loud official statements at the same time. "He is thinking about how to deceive his own people. That is, to carry out a mass mobilization without announcing it," the President of Ukraine noted. According to Zelenskyy, the Kremlin's arsenal includes "shadow contracts" and a strict blockade of borders to prevent the outflow of citizens. Ukrainian intelligence is already recording Russia's countermeasures aimed at implementing this hidden strategy.
Psychological Pressure on the West and the Threat of "Half a Million"
According to Zelenskyy's analysis, a key aspect of Putin's plans is the demonstration of military might. The President quoted the logic of the Russian leader: "Show that I am mobilizing half a million people in the autumn. And these half a million are not a fact that I will use only in Ukraine." Thus, mass conscription is viewed as a lever of pressure on neighboring European countries, creating a threat of conflict escalation beyond the current combat zones. Zelenskyy emphasizes that the more people Russia mobilizes, the higher its losses will be, but the political effect of such a "show of force" takes priority for the Kremlin.
Threat from North Korea: From Hundreds to Tens of Thousands
A separate block in his speech, Zelenskyy dedicated to the presence of North Korean military personnel on Russian territory. If previously the talk was about hundreds or thousands of fighters, then, according to the Ukrainian leader, the situation has changed radically. "Now a decision has been made to deploy 30 to 50 thousand North Koreans in the Russian Federation," the President stated. He noted that these soldiers are actively studying the war and gaining invaluable combat experience. Zelenskyy warned that this creates a long-term threat not only for Ukraine but also for states in the Asian direction, especially in the event of a deterioration of the situation in the Pacific region.
Refusal of Territorial Concessions and US Manipulations
In the context of negotiations and possible pressure from Russia, Zelenskyy categorically rejected the scenario of concessions. "No one guarantees that this person will not go further. Absolutely no one guarantees this and is not ready to guarantee it," he emphasized, speaking about Putin. The head of state also pointed out that Moscow's attempts to bargain with the American side are merely manipulation. Ukraine does not intend to simply leave the Donbas or give up its people, insisting that the country's security cannot be ensured at the expense of territorial losses.
