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Russia Plans Massive Recruitment of 400,000 Soldiers in 2026, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Warns
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Russia plans to recruit another 409,000 troops in 2026 and is increasing its activity along the frontline, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a statement on Facebook on March 19.
“In 2026, Russia plans to recruit another 409,000 soldiers. This means one thing—the enemy is not abandoning its intentions and continues to prepare for further aggression against Ukraine,” Syrskyi said.
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He added that Russian activity on the battlefield is growing as weather conditions improve.
“I held an operational meeting on the condition of the engineering equipment of defensive lines. Among the key tasks are strengthening fortifications, developing anti-drone protection, and preparing settlements for defense,” Syrskyi said.
According to the commander-in-chief, he also heard reports from field commanders, representatives of the State Special Transport Service, and heads of regional military administrations.
“There are problematic issues—we identified specific solutions and deadlines for their implementation. The quality and speed of this work determine not only the stability of the defense, but also the lives of our soldiers,” Syrskyi added.
The growing scale of mobilization is being accompanied by intensified recruitment efforts, including in temporarily occupied parts of Ukraine. Russian forces from the “Dnieper” group have launched an active recruitment campaign at Berdyansk State Pedagogical University, which Russian authorities renamed “Azov State Pedagogical University” and incorporated into what they call Melitopol University.
According to the OTPOR resistance movement, recruitment is being carried out directly on campus, leaving students with little room to refuse.
“The data of students who receive failing grades is immediately sent to the military commissariat. Each of them is then individually counseled on the importance of joining the Russian Armed Forces,” OTPOR stated.
The movement added that the campaign has met resistance, with many students refusing to take part despite pressure from the occupation administration.
“This openly frustrates the occupiers and forces them to intensify their pressure with new methods. Studying becomes a tool of blackmail, and the university, once a place of knowledge, turns into a hunting ground for cannon fodder,” the statement said.
In a related development, Kenya and Russia have agreed that Kenyan citizens will no longer be allowed to join the Russian army to fight in the war against Ukraine, following reports that significant numbers of Kenyans had been recruited.
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