The Telegraph: This Decision Could Cost Putin Dearly

A new mobilization could spark protests.

Putin is facing a serious problem. Russian troops need new soldiers, but a new mobilization could spark protests in the country's major cities, according to The Telegraph.

In the parliamentary elections, the Kremlin once again demonstrated the extent to which it tightly controls the country’s political landscape. Putin’s party, “United Russia,” won 355 out of 450 seats, according to preliminary results. Meanwhile, most opposition candidates were unable to participate in the election.

Meanwhile, war fatigue is growing among the Russian public. “The war is taking its toll in Russia. Ukrainian drones and missiles have disrupted the normal way of life,” writes the British publication.

Ukrainian attacks have already reached Moscow. During the elections, drones struck the capital, and smoke rose above the city’s largest oil refinery.

The Kremlin’s main problem is a shortage of military personnel. In September 2022, Putin announced a “partial mobilization,” which sparked protests and a mass exodus of Russians abroad. After that, the authorities turned to volunteers, offering them large sums of money. However, this resource is gradually running out.

According to Ukrainian estimates, the Russian army suffers about 30,000 casualties each month. Moscow is attempting to compensate for the shortage of personnel by offering high payments to volunteers and is also receiving military aid from North Korea. However, these resources are insufficient to sustain the current pace of combat operations.

Under these circumstances, Putin faces an unpleasant choice. Announcing a new mobilization would increase the influx of people into the army, but at the same time could spark discontent among Russians, especially in major cities. “It would be a huge gamble for Putin to announce a new mobilization,” writes The Telegraph.

It is precisely the reluctance of Russians to send their sons to the front that could become one of the Kremlin’s main problems. Putin must decide whether he is willing to take the risk of mobilization again in order to continue the war.

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