- Category
- Latest news
Ukraine Intel Chief Warns: Kremlin Preparing for Another Costly Draft
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
![Photo of Tetiana Frolova]( "Photo of Tetiana Frolova")
Russia could carry out another wave of mobilization, creating a significant challenge for Ukraine, according to Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. He made the remarks in an interview with Apostrof, published on September 7.
Budanov recalled that Moscow announced a partial mobilization in 2022. Since then, he said, Russia has sought to avoid repeating the step, despite the costs of sustaining its military campaign without a new draft.
“Can the Russian Federation carry out mobilization? Yes. Unfortunately, it is a serious threat. It will be painful for the Russian Federation, but it is realistic. And such a threat, unfortunately, exists,” Budanov stated.
He dismissed the possibility that Russia would deploy large numbers of conscripts, noting that such a move “does not make sense.” Instead, he explained, a new mobilization would expand Russia’s available forces by adding recruits who could be sent to the front lines in large numbers.
“Russia will be able to increase the number of troops it throws into the meat grinder if conscripts go through the mobilization path,” he said.
Addressing potential public unrest in Russia, Budanov suggested that anti-war demonstrations are unlikely to affect the Kremlin’s decisions. He pointed to the reaction during the 2022 mobilization, when discontent quickly grew but did not prevent Moscow from continuing the war effort.
“The moods in society will be negative if they start mobilization. They will be. And this is what they saw in 2022 when they did it and immediately tried to stop it as quickly as possible. But will this stop the Russian machine? No, it will not,” Budanov concluded.
Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence reported that Russia is recruiting more than 30,000 troops each month, consistently surpassing its targets through financial incentives and benefits. According to Deputy HUR Chief Vadym Skibitskyi, recruitment plans are fulfilled at least 105–110%, with Moscow already meeting two-thirds of its 2025 goal by early August.
