Zelenskyy says Russia preparing to expand mobilisation and launch new offensives

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said Russia is preparing to expand mobilisation efforts and launch new offensive operations despite suffering what he described as massive losses on the battlefield.

Speaking after receiving a report from the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko, Zelenskyy said even Russian officials acknowledge their inability to fulfil the objectives set by the country’s political leadership.

“Ukraine’s defence forces are ensuring the destruction of the Russian army’s offensive potential, while the occupiers’ irreversible losses already account for around 60 per cent of their total casualties,” Zelenskyy said.

The President added despite the scale of the losses, Russia’s political leadership is continuing to plan further attacks and is preparing to broaden mobilisation efforts across the country.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s response must be to increase the level of irreversible losses inflicted on Russian forces, intensify the use of drones on the front line and strengthen long-term sanctions targeting Russia’s weapons production and oil industry.