Russia will try to avoid the topic of mobilization as much as possible until the elections, but it cannot be ruled out. As of now, there is no evidence of the Russian army building new training centers for recruits, but its existing capacity is already sufficient to prepare “cannon fodder.”
This was stated by Andrii Cherniak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.
“Currently, the Kremlin will try to avoid the topic of mobilization as much as possible and claim that it will not happen, because they are preparing for elections. If enemy leaders and propagandists now signal to the population that it will happen, it is unclear how Russians will react. According to assessments by Ukraine’s military intelligence, the possibility of mobilization taking place in Russia after the elections remains,” Cherniak said.
Asked whether Russian authorities are already expanding additional military capacities for training recruits, Cherniak noted that this is not necessary, as existing facilities are sufficient.
“They have enough training centers and enough existing training grounds. Mobilization is needed to reinforce the directions where they are already fighting. In other words, they do not need new infrastructure for mobilization; they simply need ‘cannon fodder’ that will be sent to fight,” the Main Intelligence Directorate representative said.
He also noted that military intelligence has not detected the creation of a Russian strike force on the territory of Belarus.
“At present, there are no signs of preparations for any Russian strike groups in Belarus. There are around 50,000 personnel in the Belarusian army, as well as Russian support units, but we do not see any threatening activity. Of course, within a few weeks Russia could redeploy its forces there, but this is not being observed at the moment,” Cherniak explained.
