Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia is planning to draft an additional 300,000 troops for its war effort following parliamentary elections scheduled for mid-September. Zelensky also indicated that Russia could potentially reach a total of 500,000 drafted troops by 2027, describing this as a "peripheral mobilization" targeting Russia's remote regions.
"We believe it will not take place in the central cities," Zelensky said, referring to the potential troop mobilization. "But I don’t think they will be able to hide it very well." Russian parliamentary elections are set to occur from September 18 to 20.
Moscow's forces are currently advancing in the Donbas region, seeking to capture the rest of the industrialized area. Zelensky described the current fighting as coming at a significant cost to Russian troops, particularly as they attempt to push into Ukraine's eastern cities.
Air War Escalation and Defense Needs
Zelensky also highlighted an escalating air war waged by Russia against Ukrainian cities, exacerbated by a shortage of U.S.-designed Patriot interceptors. Ukraine expects to receive 264 interceptors in 2026, a decrease from the 364 received in 2025 and 675 in 2023. He added that Russia aims to develop a capacity to produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles annually.
In response to Russia's intensified attacks, Ukraine has been conducting drone strikes on Russian economic infrastructure, including oil refineries and warehouses, which Kyiv says are crucial to Russia's war. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Kyiv's strikes on economic targets have opened "Pandora's box," vowing retaliation against Ukraine's "most sensitive economic sectors."
Ukrainian air defense is preparing for another winter of potential Russian strikes on the energy grid, prompting requests for 360 missile interceptors for the season. Zelensky reported reaching an agreement with France for at least one SAMP/T air-defense system this year, and with Germany for approximately 600 PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors through 2028.
Funding Challenges
Ukraine's defense capabilities are further strained by a $27 billion defense funding gap this year, attributed to higher-than-anticipated spending in the first half of the year. Zelensky stated that at least $8 billion is needed for a "normal start" to 2027, with an additional $20 billion required for military salaries, payments to families of fallen soldiers, and other operational financing.
Recent Ukrainian gains in southeastern Ukraine have been acknowledged by Zelensky, who projected that the territory liberated by Ukrainian forces in 2026 would equal the amount occupied by Russia.