Budanov discussed whether Russia might carry out a new mobilisation this year
Kirill Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, spoke about this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Budanov believes that there are no technical obstacles preventing Russia from carrying out a mobilisation similar to the one that took place in 2022. At that time, they carried out a partial mobilisation of the population.
“They mobilised around 450,000 people in the space of a year. Could they carry out something on a similar scale? They could. Technically, there is nothing stopping them. The fact is that they do not want to do this. But if they see that there is no other option, they will do it,” says Budanov.
In September, “elections” to the State Duma will take place in Russia. When asked whether these play any role in the mobilisation process, Budanov replied:
“That’s a matter of debate. I can give you arguments both for and against. Think back to their last elections in 2024. Nothing stopped them.”
At that time, an operation was in full swing in the Belgorod region and in the city of Belgorod itself.
“And whilst everyone was watching people fleeing the city in droves, they recorded the highest turnout in Belgorod. Number one across Russia. So they won’t have any problems,” explains Budanov.
In Russia, they traditionally fabricate the results they need.
At the same time, Russians are not yet ready to take active action due to their dissatisfaction with the authorities’ actions. According to the head of the Presidential Office, public discontent cannot yet be transformed into anything of a qualitatively higher order.
“Into something qualitatively different – not right now. We’re still a long way from the level of tension that could push people to take active action,” says Budanov.
It should be recalled that it was previously reported that Russian government circles are increasingly discussing the possibility of a new wave of mobilisation due to a shortage of personnel for the war against Ukraine. According to journalists, the number of people willing to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence continues to decline, even in regions that were previously leading the way in terms of the number of volunteers.
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