Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, announced that the government currently has no plans to initiate a new wave of military mobilization.
In remarks to the state news agency RIA Novosti, Medvedev stated, “There is no need to declare a new wave of mobilization at this time,” addressing questions about the military’s personnel needs.
He emphasized that the existing contracts with military personnel are sufficient to fulfill all combat tasks. According to Medvedev, over 80,000 individuals have signed contracts for military service since the beginning of 2026, while last year saw more than 400,000 enlistments.
Since late 2025, the Russian Ministry of Defense has been actively recruiting students for service in drone units, offering substantial payments and a “special contract for a term of one year.” However, legal experts warn that it may be difficult for recruits to leave service before the conflict concludes. Reports indicate that the ministry aims to enlist approximately 78,800 personnel in drone units by the end of 2026.
Russia announced a “partial mobilization” in September 2022, shortly after which presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that mobilization was not on the agenda. By late October 2022, the Ministry of Defense declared the end of the “partial mobilization,” yet President Vladimir Putin did not sign a corresponding decree. In subsequent years, Russian authorities have repeatedly asserted that there is no need for new mobilization, although the formal conclusion of the previous mobilization remains unrecorded.
Dmitry Medvedev confirmed that Russia will not initiate a new military mobilization, citing sufficient personnel under existing contracts. The Ministry of Defense continues to recruit students for drone units, aiming for significant enlistments by 2026.
Source: RIA Novosti