Russia may open new offensive toward Chernihiv and Kyiv, mobilize 100,000 more troops, Zelenskyy warns
Ukrainian intelligence indicates Russia may be planning offensive operations on the Chernihiv-Kyiv axis and is preparing a new mobilization wave aimed at recruiting an additional 100,000 troops, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported, adding that Ukraine is preparing responses to every possible Russian course of action.
The volume of Ukrainian forces on this axis will be increased.
The president also said he had instructed the Foreign Ministry to prepare additional diplomatic pressure measures targeting Belarus, which “Russia may use for such an expansion of the war." Ukraine's intelligence agencies will also be focused on this threat, he added.
Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is preparing to expand the geographic scope of long-range sanctions against Russia, which he said have "proven themselves very effective, and to more tangibly compel Russia to reduce its aggression."
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is preparing a new mobilization wave and plans to recruit an additional 100,000 people for the war.
"We believe that, as of today, Russia lacks such potential for covert mobilization, so we should expect Russian political decisions of another format, including those like the recent one regarding the Transnistrian region of Moldova," Zelenskyy added.
Military exercises involving Russian forces are currently underway in Belarus. Russia's Defense Ministry said more than 64,000 soldiers and 7,800 pieces of military equipment are involved in the drills.
According to the ministry, the exercises include strategic missile forces responsible for nuclear deterrence and strikes on strategic targets, as well as Russia's Pacific and Northern fleets.
On May 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree simplifying the process for residents of the self-proclaimed Transnistrian region of Moldova to obtain Russian citizenship, waiving requirements to reside in Russia for five years and to demonstrate knowledge of the Russian language, history and law.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu suggested the move was made because Russia needs "more people for the war against Ukraine."