Zelenskyy says Russia has begun additional mobilisation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on September 29 that Russia had effectively begun additional mobilisation, accusing Moscow of increasing recruitment through various methods and planning to recruit more foreigners.

“Russians have effectively already begun additional mobilisation — they are increasing the number of people they recruit through various methods,” Zelenskyy said in an address.

He said Ukraine would inform governments of countries whose citizens Russia was seeking to recruit to its armed forces and called on them to oppose the practice.

Zelenskyy also said, citing Ukraine’s military intelligence, that more than 8,000 North Korean troops were currently in Russia and that a further 10,000 were expected to be deployed soon.

Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said Russia planned to mobilise 300,000 people by the end of the year.

French President Emmanuel Macron earlier said the prospect of Russia mobilising 300,000 people appeared “quite likely” and that there were signs of preparations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev