Pressure on Putin to Announce New Mobilization, According to The Economist

The Russian General Staff and the Ministry of Defense are exerting "serious pressure" on the Kremlin to call for a new mobilization to replenish troops in Ukraine, European officials familiar with intelligence data informed The Economist.

“Russia currently does not have sufficient forces. If they were to make advances, they would not be able to capitalize on it,” noted a senior NATO official.

According to sources, the Russian army continues to rely on primitive tactics on the battlefield, resulting in massive casualties. The decision to involve North Korean soldiers indicates that Russian troops are facing significant issues.

According to the conversations with the publication's sources, Russia’s defense industry has significantly advanced compared to Western production lines. The European Union claims it produces over one million shells annually, while Russia produces three times more and receives support from North Korea and Iran.

“I simply do not know if we will be able to produce enough and how much we can provide them. We no longer have the capacity to assist them and may jeopardize our position elsewhere,” a source familiar with American military aid to Ukraine told The Economist.

A senior NATO interlocutor stated that Moscow is mobilizing 30,000 people per month. This is insufficient to fulfill all tasks at the front but allows for covering massive casualties.

Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, believes Russia cannot fight indefinitely, but if the trend on the front continues, the “breaking point” may soon be reached for Ukraine.

“Moscow likely calculates that it can achieve its goals in Donbas next year and inflict levels of casualties and material damage on the Ukrainian army that will prevent it from halting further advances,” he said. The expert believes this situation would give Russia leverage in any upcoming negotiations.

The Wall Street Journal reported in mid-September that the Russian military command had requested President Vladimir Putin to announce new mobilization. According to the publication's sources, in mid-March, when Putin was "reelected" for another presidential term, military leaders urged him to utilize the May oath to announce a new mobilization. He reportedly declined, stating that he wished to use only those who voluntarily sign contracts with the ministry for the war.