Kremlin Again Denies Preparing New Wave of Mobilisation in Russia

Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that no new mobilisation is being planned in the country, dismissing the rumours as lies spread by the Ukrainian army allegedly in response to setbacks at the front. His remarks were reported by the state news agency TASS.

"To change the situation, rumours are being spread that Russia is 'on the verge of mobilisation.' I deal with this matter directly, on the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and can therefore state with full responsibility: we have no need for mobilisation," Medvedev said. According to him, these are "lies, deception and provocations" aimed at "stirring up unrest among the population," especially ahead of elections to the State Duma.

Denials Have Been Repeated for Months

Earlier, on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed the topic, calling such talk "complete nonsense" and "an information attack on Russia," TASS reported. Back in August, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov told Interfax that rumours of mobilisation were being spread by Ukrainian authorities as part of an "ideological destabilisation" campaign against Russia.

Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, also told TASS in August that a mass mobilisation "is not planned and, as far as is known, is not expected."

Russians Themselves Fear Mobilisation

According to the outlet Meduza, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed more than ten times this year that the Kremlin is preparing a new wave of mobilisation. Reuters has also reported that Russian citizens themselves share this concern.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has noted a rise in the number of Russians crossing into Georgia and Armenia, some of whom admitted they left the country preemptively after hearing rumours of a possible autumn mobilisation. One woman holding both Russian and Armenian citizenship said she decided to return to Armenia as soon as she heard the rumours — out of concern for her adult son.

Russia will hold State Duma elections from 18 to 20 September. The ruling United Russia party, led by Medvedev, is considered the clear favourite — according to a VTsIOM poll, 37.2% of voters are ready to support it. Meanwhile, Meduza reports that the Kremlin has set the party a target of winning more than 50% of the vote nationwide, with regional results expected to range between 47% and 53%.

Similar Assurances Were Made Before the Invasion

A mobilisation would allow Russia to replenish the losses it has suffered during the invasion of Ukraine. Czech President Petr Pavel raised this possibility two months ago in an interview with The Telegraph, suggesting it would not happen before the elections at the earliest.

The Kremlin's assurances should be treated with caution: shortly before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Russian officials likewise insisted no attack was coming. Putin said as much on 18 February, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on 16 February, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on 27 January. Despite these statements, Putin went on to order the invasion.

Source: novinky.cz