Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to rapidly mobilize several hundred thousand Russians by the end of the year, followed by another wave of similar size next year.

Axar.az reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made the remarks in his evening address on 11 August.

"Putin wants to create the impression that Russians supposedly support the war – every party still permitted to run is, one way or another, against peace. And then, after the so-called elections, he plans an additional rapid mobilization of several hundred thousand Russians by the end of the year, plus just as many more next year. We are preparing for our own active operations – to make it as difficult as possible for Russia to carry out such plans. I have assigned the relevant tasks to our intelligence agencies and Ukraine’s special services," Zelensky said.