Zelensky reveals Russia's plan to mobilize 300,000 soldiers in June
1:17 PM EDT, April 3, 2024
On Wednesday in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Russia plans to mobilize an additional 300,000 soldiers in June. This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on March 31 for spring conscription into military service within the Russian Federation.
- "I can say that Russia is preparing an additional mobilization of 300,000 soldiers; the date is set for June 1," Zelensky stated, as reported by the Interfax-Ukraine agency.
Zelensky shared this information during a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who was visiting Kyiv then.
Putin signs decree mobilizing 150,000
On March 31, Putin signed a decree for spring conscription, stating that "From April 1 to July 15, 150,000 individuals aged between 18 and 30 years will be called up for military service in the Russian Federation," the decree indicates.
The decree also mandates the discharge of soldiers, sailors, sergeants, and warrant officers whose conscription term has ended.
In early March, it was confirmed by Putin's administration that mobilized Russian conscripts will not be allowed to return home until the conflict with Ukraine ends, as disclosed in a letter from the Kremlin responding to an inquiry from Boris Vishnevsky, deputy chairman of the liberal party Yabloko and a councillor in Petersburg.
On March 22, the independent Russian service Vyorstka reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense was initiating mass conscription and was preparing for a covert mobilization aimed at encircling and seizing Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine.
Zelensky's unexpected move: signing two laws
On Tuesday, President Zelensky signed a law reducing the conscription age from 27 to 25 years—a move pending for 10 months. Furthermore, Zelensky enacted a law requiring men to report to a medical board for examinations within a 9-month.
