Kremlin dismisses fresh mobilization claims as "information hoaxes"

The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, has dismissed reports of a possible new mobilization in Russia, describing them as “information hoaxes” allegedly being spread by Ukrainian authorities.

“You know, all of this is being spread by the Ukrainian authorities. Naturally, the regime is trying to ideologically destabilize the situation in our country. These are all information hoaxes deliberately injected into the information space,” Peskov said.

His comments came amid renewed speculation over whether Moscow could launch another mobilization campaign following Russia’s parliamentary elections.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously claimed that Russia could mobilize as many as 300,000 people in 2026 after the elections. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Russia was preparing for a possible new wave of mobilization, while noting that the Kremlin had not made a final decision.

Meanwhile, ASTRA reported in early August that it had contacted a recruiter involved in enlisting people for the war in Ukraine. According to the recruiter, the state had requested 500,000 volunteers. He said the intensified recruitment of contract soldiers was “essentially postponing general mobilization” in Russia.

On August 15, The Guardian, citing sources in Moscow, reported that there were no indications that Russia was preparing for a new mobilization. A day later, reports citing some New York Times sources said mobilization could be expected, but only after Russia’s parliamentary elections in September.

By Vafa Guliyeva