Zelensky Says Russia Plans Expanded Mobilization Despite Battlefield Failures

Ukrainian intelligence said internal Russian military documents show commanders cannot meet Kremlin objectives even as Moscow prepares new offensives. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied President Volodymyr Zelensky walks upon his arrival ahead of an informal meeting of the European Council, in Ayia Napa on April 23, 2026. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence has obtained internal Russian military documents showing that Russia’s General Staff acknowledges its inability to meet objectives set by the Kremlin , as Ukraine continues to degrade Russia’s offensive capacity. On Tuesday, in a statement posted on Facebook , following a briefing by Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Zelensky said Ukraine’s Defense Forces are inflicting irrecoverable losses on Russian troops approaching 60% of total losses, undermining Moscow’s ability to sustain offensive operations. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Despite these losses, Zelensky said Russia’s political leadership is planning further offensives and preparing to bring in additional manpower, including through expanded mobilization inside Russia. “Accordingly, Ukraine’s task is to further increase the share of irrecoverable losses inflicted on the occupier,” Zelensky said, adding that Kyiv will intensify drone deployment along the front line and scale up long‑range sanctions targeting weapons production and oil sector. Last week, the EU adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, further weakening Moscow’s war economy and increasing pressure to end its aggression against Ukraine. Since then, Russia has denounced such measures and accused Brussels of “economic coercion.” Zelensky has also said Ukraine will brief its partners on intelligence, indicating that Moscow continues to develop plans for operations against NATO countries and is attempting to draw Belarus more deeply into implementing Russia’s objectives. Other Topics of Interest Ukrainian Special Forces Strike Russian ‘Iskander’ Base Deep in Occupied Crimea Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said they struck a concealed Iskander missile storage site in occupied Crimea, targeting launch capabilities used against Ukrainian cities. This comes amid reports of Ukrainian prosecutors finding a Russian-linked network dedicated to preparing international operations for assassinations, arson, and infrastructure attacks in multiple European countries, targeting public figures. Ukraine has repeatedly warned that Russia’s war planning extends beyond Ukrainian territory and has called on allies to strengthen collective deterrence and pressure on Moscow. Veronika Sukhanych is a political analyst with a foundation in governance, legal research, and international policy. Kyiv-born and educated in comparative politics, her background includes research on global financial institutions, responsible AI governance, and security policy.