New mobilization wave remains Putin's deeply personal decision — ISW
New mobilization wave remains a deeply personal decision for Putin (Photo: Kremlin.ru/Handout via REUTERS)
A potential new wave of mobilization in Russia remains a deeply personal decision for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on July 28.
The report noted that the Kremlin has been streamlining administrative procedures related to mobilization since 2025. Specifically, in November 2025, Putin signed a law altering the administrative process for army conscription, shifting it to a continuous, year-round cycle rather than previous semi-annual drafts.
At the same time, the ISW continues to assess mobilization as a "very personal decision" for Putin, dependent on his perception of battlefield conditions and Kremlin regime integrity.
According to available data, Kremlin officials are evaluating a broad spectrum of options to facilitate potential future mobilization efforts, while Putin likely continues to weigh all alternatives.
Mobilization in Russia
In November 2025, Putin signed legislation allowing reservists to be deployed to combat operations without a formal mobilization declaration. According to ISW assessments, the Kremlin likely utilizes this specific mechanism to execute gradual, partial call-ups. Analysts emphasized that the final choice regarding mobilization remains Putin's personal decision, shaped by frontline dynamics and domestic regime stability.
On July 26, Ukraine's president stated that Putin plans to launch a new mobilization drive this fall. According to Zelenskyy, Russian Ministry of Defense recruited 221,000 contract soldiers since the beginning of the year; however, this proved insufficient as casualties over the same period reached 225,500 personnel, including 131,000 killed in action. Zelenskyy believes Putin will announce mobilization following State Duma elections on Sept. 20, potentially sending between 300,000 and 500,000 troops to the front lines.
"He wants to step up mobilization. Not openly, because he fears his own society, but he will do so in early October unless we create problems for him regarding logistics, weapons, gasoline, and diesel, and unless our partners impose total sanctions for his aggression," the Ukrainian president emphasized, adding that Putin will only stop fighting if defeated.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
