President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia is preparing to mobilize approximately 300,000 additional troops after its September parliamentary elections, describing the planned draft as a "peripheral mobilization" targeting remote regions to minimize domestic backlash [5][9][24]. Japan's Sankei Shimbun reported Zelenskyy as citing a range of 300,000 to 500,000 troops [37]. Zelenskyy said the troops would be directed toward capturing the remainder of Donetsk and that Russia could mobilize hundreds of thousands more in 2027 [5][12]. The warning came as European leaders convened in Kyiv for a Coalition of the Willing summit on Ukraine's 35th Independence Day, where allies pledged new military and financial support [2][7][11].
Zelenskyy said he believed the mobilization would avoid major cities. "Creemos que no tendrá lugar en las ciudades principales, porque no creo que puedan ocultarlo muy bien" (We believe it will not take place in the main cities, because I don't think they can hide it very well), he told El País [5]. He stated that Russia has lost 267,000 personnel since the start of the year [25].
Defense analysts expressed skepticism about the warning's credibility and strategic motive. The EU-based outlet Defence Matters noted that the claim remains unverified and that even a 300,000-person mobilization may not expand combat power because new recruits would largely replace existing losses [26]. Sayed Ghanem, a military expert and visiting professor at NATO and the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, argued that the repeated warnings serve to pressure European allies for weapons and justify Ukraine's own stricter conscription [38]. Japan's Sankei Shimbun reported that even if Russia mobilizes, the gains may be outweighed by social losses [37].
Independent Russian-language outlets reported that a coercive mobilization is already underway. The Moscow Times documented complaints from 17 Russian regions of detentions and forced contract-signing, often targeting men with alcohol, drug, or mental health problems, or those with legal issues [34]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty described an expanding electronic conscription registry, with Daria Berg of the civil-society group Idite Lesom noting that the process is "less like a single wave and more like a net that catches people in different ways" [35]. Artyom Klyga, a lawyer with the Movement of Conscientious Objectors, said the electronic registry is functioning better than a year ago and that "the risk is no longer theoretical" [35].
Ukraine is simultaneously preparing adjustments to its own draft policies. Roman Kostenko, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee, said changes to the draft age are under discussion because financial incentives for voluntary contracts have failed to significantly boost recruitment [9].
Ukrainian military commanders reported drone strikes on Russian economic infrastructure, including oil refineries, Ozon e-commerce warehouses in Orenburg and Samara, and military assets in Krasnodar Krai [2][9][21]. Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, reported strikes on two Russian fighter jets — a Su-33 and a MiG-29 — plus air defense systems and radars in Krasnodar Krai, Rostov Oblast, and occupied Crimea [22]. Former Defense Minister Mijailo Fedorov announced a new AI-guided long-range drone programme operating on a "fire and forget" principle without GPS or internet, stating "Savaşta teknoloji üstünlüğü bizde" (In war, technological superiority is ours), though he said Zelenskyy has not yet approved its use [6].
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the strikes as "maceracı bir reklam kampanyasının ötesine geçemedi" (could not go beyond an adventurous PR campaign) causing limited economic damage, while warning that Ukraine had "abierto la caja de Pandora" (opened Pandora's box) and would face a response against its most sensitive economic sectors [5][6]. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov accused the United Kingdom of "jette de l'huile sur le feu de façon méthodique et régulière" (pouring oil on the fire methodically and regularly) by enabling long-range SCALP missile production [11].
Independent analysts gave a mixed assessment of the strikes' economic impact. The OSW Centre for Eastern Studies in Warsaw documented damage to Russian oil refineries and logistics infrastructure [27]. The Kyiv Post reported that Russia has been forced to import fuel, with queues and rationing in Moscow [28]. Meduza, using thermal satellite data, found that some reported refinery damage was exaggerated while other unreported damage was significant [29]. BBC News Russian reported a 20% drop in Ozon's stock price [36]. Investment analyst Artyom Nikolaev argued that Ozon's business is well-diversified and bankruptcy is unlikely, though the company will face serious financial and reputational losses [36].
European Council President Antonio Costa declared "il sostegno incondizionato dell'Ue" (the EU's unconditional support) in Kyiv, stating "La sua lotta è anche la nostra lotta" (Its fight is also our fight) [1]. The European Commission released €6.1 billion in military aid for air defense, missiles, and radar [14][20]. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced authorization for MBDA to release classified information enabling local SCALP missile production, stating "Rusia no debe tener ninguna duda sobre nuestra determinación" (Russia must have no doubt about our determination) [7]. Norway pledged $9 billion for 2027 [11], and Finland signed defense-industry agreements with Ukraine on drone and unmanned naval systems [18].
Zelenskyy disclosed that Patriot interceptor deliveries fell from 675 in 2023 to a projected 264 in 2026, and requested a package of at least 300 interceptors for the upcoming winter [2][5][7]. Despite President Donald Trump's announcement of a Patriot production license for Ukraine — "We're going to give a license to you to make Patriots. That's pretty cool" — Pentagon officials and Raytheon described the process as just beginning, citing supply-chain certification hurdles [32][33]. Zelenskyy stated that an agreement had already been reached [33].
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that "la Russie tentera une escalade contre les pays européens afin de les dissuader d'aider l'Ukraine" (Russia will attempt an escalation against European countries to dissuade them from helping Ukraine), urging allies to remain resolute [11]. Macron also pledged additional interceptors and proposed stepping up efforts against Russia's shadow fleet [5][20].
Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported that drone debris killed two children and wounded nine others at a childcare centre in Krasnodar [2][11]. The ICRC's Juan Pedro Schaerer described the recent spate of attacks as "the worst I've seen" in a year of working in Ukraine [30]. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission documented a 44% year-on-year rise in civilian casualties and a double-tap strike on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih [31].
Zelenskyy rejected holding wartime elections, calling them "ein Tsunami für den Staat, der die Ukraine spalten würde" (a tsunami for the state that would split Ukraine) [12][16]. Former Defense Minister Fedorov publicly called for organizing a vote despite the ongoing conflict [5][16]. Zelenskyy also denied Ukrainian state involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, stating "Ukraine has never officially taken part in any operation related to the blowing up of Nord Stream" [4]. German prosecutors allege the attack was ordered by the Ukrainian state and have detained a second Ukrainian national [4].
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuriy Ushakov signaled that Putin would attend the APEC summit in China if Trump attends, indicating Moscow's preference for direct negotiations with Washington over Kyiv or European allies [6]. Zelenskyy called for the next Coalition of the Willing summit to be held in September [20].