Vladimir Putin in the coming days, possibly as early as Wednesday, may announce a new wave of mobilization, experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) say.

Details. The announcement may be made during the president's visit to St. Petersburg: on January 18, he intends to take part in events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the breaking of the siege of Leningrad.

Putin likes to use symbolic dates when addressing Russians, ISW explains. The Institute also notes that some pro-Russian bloggers have suggested that the commemorative date could be used by Putin to launch a new wave of mobilization or formally declare war on Ukraine.
Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Caution Media on Tuesday evening that the information that during the events in St. Petersburg on January 18, Putin may declare war on Ukraine or continue mobilization is rumors: “These are all rumors. Don't listen to them."

Context. Earlier, the intelligence services of Ukraine and Western countries reported that the Russian authorities were preparing for a new wave of mobilization.

Last week, The Times, citing Western intelligence sources, reported that the Russian authorities could mobilize up to 500,000 people for war. The Wall Street Journal wrote the day before that the Kremlin, based on data from closed opinion polls, believes that the Russians are ready to endure another wave of mobilization.
The presidential administration reported that the mobilization decree continues, although the measures to call up the reserve have been completed.

ISW: Putin may announce a second wave of mobilization in the coming days