Kremlin reportedly mulling fresh wave of mobilisation after September elections

The Kremlin is considering initiating a new round of mobilisation amid its mounting difficulties recruiting soldiers to fight in Ukraine, according to an investigation published by independent Russian media outlets Verstka and IStories on Wednesday.

According to data obtained by Verstka, the number of those voluntarily enlisting to fight in Ukraine has collapsed this year, with over a third fewer recruits joining the Russian military this spring compared to the same period last year.

Sources close to the Presidential Administration and the security forces said that a fresh wave of mobilisation to bolster the number and quality of soldiers being sent to Ukraine, could be announced as early as October, once the State Duma elections, which are due to be held on 18-20 September, are over.

Preparations “for something that will never be called a mobilisation” have been underway “for several months”, one source involved in military recruitment said, adding: “There are constant complaints from the front about the severe shortage of people. We have to hurry to meet these needs.”

Russia’s “partial” mobilisation drive in 2022 proved deeply unpopular among the Russian public, however, and both Vladimir Putin and ruling party United Russia are conscious of their declining approval ratings ahead of September’s vote.

One source close to United Russia said that although the situation at the front was dire, “the risks of mobilisation are obvious.” Other, less risky methods to bolster manpower in Ukraine are also reportedly being discussed, including a plan to “rotate” army reservists from the rear to relieve conscripts on the frontlines.

Independent news outlet Meduza reported on Wednesday that officials in Russia’s security services had urged Putin either to postpone or cancel the September elections entirely, as weekly opinion polls by the Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM) continue to show a maximum of 35% support for United Russia.

A source close to the Kremlin told Meduza that budgetary problems, price rises and widespread layoffs were all having an adverse effect on the government’s approval ratings, and that “holding elections under such conditions would be a daring task”.