Putin tipped to launch massive mobilisation in weeks as Ukraine humiliates Russia

Vladimir Putin could unleash a huge new mobilisation within months as Ukraine continues to pile pressure on Russia, a European leader believes. As Russia is struggling to advance on the battlefield of the war unlawfully started by Moscow, Kyiv has been unleashing drones deep into Putin’s country, hitting key oil facilities which appear to have triggered a fuel crisis.

Moreover, Russia’s tally of fatalities and wounded soldiers is said to be around 30,000 each month. Reports from the frontline have previously suggested some Russian soldiers are surviving only minutes after entering combat, highlighting the relentless intensity of the conflict.

With the pressure mounting on Russia, a European leader believes the Kremlin may be preparing to “declare mobilisation”.

Czech President Petr Pavel has chillingly warned he believes that mobilisation could occur after Russia’s parliamentary vote on September 20.

He told The Telegraph: “Russia will have parliamentary elections in September.

“President Putin will hardly declare mobilisation before, but once the elections are over, then the window will shrink.”

The retired general believes Ukraine faces a two-month deadline to revive peace talks before Russia could significantly expand its military campaign.

He added: “I believe that the window is there for us to keep pushing and giving Russia a clear message that we are willing to start negotiations.”

Pavel claimed Russia is buckling under growing pressure, with “the Russian public turning increasingly against the war.”

He added the Russian leader may find it increasingly difficult to “keep calm at home” as pressure mounts on Russia.

He believes that sustained Ukrainian attacks deep within Russian territory would “create conditions where Russia will be more inclined to negotiate”.

This comes after a poll suggested the majority of Russians believe their local economic conditions have worsened.

Since the war with Ukraine broke out in 2022, due to the Kremlin’s unlawful decision to invade Ukraine, Moscow has been haemorrhaging money to defence at the expense of its citizens, who increasingly find themselves unable to afford basic goods.

Four years on, a record-high 60% of Russians interviewed between March and May said their local economic conditions are getting worse, with only 27% saying things are getting better.

This is the first time since 2006 that a majority of Russian adults have said the economy is getting worse in a survey carried out by Gallup, the prestigious pollster.

Previous figures stood at 45% in 2020 and 50% in 2021 amid the Covid pandemic.