Another 300 thousand Russians will go into battle - Putin's new plans revealed

ISW analysts report that Putin has set the task of capturing the Donetsk region by December 31, 2026. Zelensky stated that a new mobilization of 300 thousand people is possible after the State Duma elections. Experts consider the plans unrealistic.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report that Russian President Vladimir Putin has set the Russian army the task of completing the capture of the Donetsk region by December 31, 2026. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 23. The main targets remain Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk — cities that are part of the Ukrainian defense line 'Fortress Belt' with powerful fortifications. According to Zelensky, the Kremlin may also be preparing a new large-scale mobilization of approximately 300 thousand people, which could begin after the State Duma elections scheduled for September 18-20. Some of the forces will likely be sent to reinforce units in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Analysts note that since 2022, the Russian leadership has set at least 15 deadlines for capturing Donbas, none of which have been met. ISW believes that the current plans do not correspond to the real dynamics of hostilities: the pace of the Russian offensive has slowed, and Ukrainian strikes on rear targets are intensifying. Earlier, The New York Times reported that Putin expects to establish control over Donbas by the fall of 2027, and in case of failure, the likelihood of negotiations may increase. The article uses the term 'dictator' in the author's headline and photo caption, which is a value judgment in the publication's narrative voice.