The dictator is preparing to throw another 300 thousand soldiers into battle
On Monday, August 24, 2026, Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Vladimir Putin had ordered the Russian military to complete the capture of the Donetsk region by December 31, 2026. The key targets of the Russian army are the cities of Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk, which are part of the fortified Ukrainian defensive line known as the fortress ring.
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Putin has set deadlines for capturing the entire Donetsk region at least 15 times, but none of these deadlines have been met. The ISW believes that the pace of the Russian army's advance does not support expectations for capturing Donbas by the end of 2026.
Mobilization and escalation of the conflict
Furthermore, Volodymyr Zelensky announced a possible mobilization of about 300 thousand Russian troops after the State Duma elections scheduled for September 18–20. Some of the mobilized forces may be used to reinforce Russian troops in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The New York Times reported that Putin may be counting on establishing full control over Donbas by the fall of 2027. In Russia, a new wave of mobilization is expected to be announced after the parliamentary elections in September.
This situation underscores the ongoing escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, particularly in the context of the struggle for control over key territories in eastern Ukraine. Given the history of unmet deadlines, analysts express doubts about Russia's ability to achieve its stated goals within the planned timeframes. The mobilization of new forces may indicate preparations for more intense combat operations, which, in turn, further exacerbates the situation in the region.