Russia Plans Covert Mobilization Amid Heavy War Casualties, Reports BILD

Russia is reportedly preparing for a covert mobilization due to significant losses in its war against Ukraine, according to BILD and German analysts. International estimates suggest that 110,000 to 140,000 Russian soldiers have died since the conflict began in February 2022, prompting Moscow to increase its troop numbers through discreet methods.

Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine, Ivan Havrylyuk, reported that Russian forces in Ukraine have grown from 400,000 at the start of the year to 600,000 currently, with plans to expand to 800,000 by the year's end. However, regions in Russia are running out of funds to recruit contract soldiers, leading to speculation about a looming large-scale mobilization.

Analysts suggest that President Putin may use Ukraine's offensive in the Kursk region as a pretext for increased conscription, but this will likely be done covertly, without an official public announcement.