Russia is aiming to draft 133,000 Russians between October and January as part of a fall conscription campaign. This decree, signed by President Vladimir Putin, applies to men aged 18 to 30 who are not in the reserve and are subject to military service. The conscription also includes illegally annexed areas like Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. The U.K. Defense Ministry estimates that Russia is recruiting around 30,000 people a month to bolster its war effort. In response, Ukraine adopted a law on mobilization in April to increase troop numbers due to ongoing Russian advances.
Despite speculation of a new mobilization, potential Russian draftees are not enthusiastic about defending Russian territory so soon after the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast. Russian forces are intensifying attacks on the recaptured Vovchansk aggregate plant in a difficult situation in the Kharkiv sector. The plant, a powerful blow to Russia’s image when recaptured by Ukraine, is being targeted with guided aerial bombs and multiple rocket launchers. Russian troops suffered heavy losses in the area, but the intensity of fighting has decreased compared to other sectors in eastern Ukraine.
In Donetsk Oblast, the commander of Ukraine’s 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade defending Vuhledar has been transferred amid ongoing battles. Colonel Ivan Vinnik’s transfer was for promotion and to transfer combat experience, as the brigade continues to defend the town from Russian forces. Vuhledar, a key town under threat of encirclement, has resisted multiple assaults since 2022 and holds strategic importance for Ukrainian defenses in the region. The loss of Vuhledar would not only be a morale blow for Ukraine but also threaten the security of the southwestern portion of Donetsk Oblast.
President Zelensky’s victory plan, presented to international leaders, includes military and diplomatic components to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position with Russia. While some details of the plan will remain classified to prevent leaks to the enemy, the goal is to push Russia towards a just peace. Kyiv faced waves of Russian attack drones targeting the capital, with air defenses intercepting most of them. Russian drone attacks on Kyiv have increased recently, with multiple incidents occurring overnight, though no damage or casualties were reported. Amidst Russian losses in Ukraine, some military bloggers within Russia are turning on the Kremlin and military command.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Russia and Ukraine are engaged in ongoing battles and strategic planning. Ukraine is mobilizing additional troops to counter Russian advances, while Russia aims to strengthen its military through conscription. The situation in key regions like Kharkiv and Donetsk Oblast is volatile, with intense fighting and strategic importance for both sides. President Zelensky’s victory plan seeks to push Russia towards a peaceful resolution, while Ukraine’s military continues to defend towns like Vuhledar from Russian attacks. The conflict remains a focal point of international attention as both sides navigate the complexities of war.
