Russia has begun an undeclared wave of additional troop mobilization and is actively expanding foreign recruitment for the war in Ukraine while publicly denying plans for a new draft, according to Ukrainian military intelligence data detailed by National Armed Forces Major and Home Guard staff officer Jānis Slaidiņš on the TV24 program “Aktuālais par karadarbību Ukrainā.”
Military Intelligence Reveals Active Russian Troop Buildup
Russian authorities are increasing their enlisted personnel numbers through various internal recruitment methods while simultaneously planning to boost foreign recruitment, Slaidiņš reported on TV24, citing information from Ukrainian military intelligence. nra.lv reported that Slaidiņš outlined how these actions directly contradict public statements from Moscow regarding troop levels.
La.lv noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly asserted that current troop replenishment rates remain sufficient for the general staff’s chosen strategy. Putin described this approach as gradually squeezing Ukrainian forces out of territories Moscow seeks to control, admitting that a faster advance would require a larger troop count but insisting mobilization is unnecessary.
North Korean Troops and Munitions Factory Workers Deployed to Russia
Foreign involvement in the conflict extends beyond troop deployments, with approximately 8,000 North Korean soldiers currently stationed inside Russian territory and another 10,000 undergoing preparation for deployment, according to Slaidiņš. Estimates have also surfaced suggesting future North Korean deployment numbers could potentially reach tens of thousands of personnel.
Pyongyang’s support for Moscow includes both military personnel and industrial labor. Approximately 25,000 North Korean nationals—including many women—are currently employed inside Russian drone manufacturing plants. In exchange for this labor and military support, North Korea receives financial compensation along with critically vital military technologies.
Skepticism Over Kremlin Denials of Further Mobilization
Slaidiņš expressed skepticism regarding Putin’s promises that no new mobilization will occur, drawing parallels to 2022 when the Russian leadership repeatedly denied the need for a draft before Putin ultimately announced a partial mobilization in September of that year. He also pointed to past unfulfilled Kremlin promises, such as prior assurances that the retirement age would not be raised.
La.lv corroborated that these public assurances carry historical precedents of contradiction, recalling that similar denials preceded the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Slaidiņš emphasized that current presidential statements cannot be treated as a guarantee that a formal mobilization decree will not follow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Russian Mobilization and Foreign Troops
How many North Korean soldiers are currently inside Russia?
Ukrainian military intelligence data indicates that approximately 8,000 North Korean soldiers are present within Russian territory, with an additional 10,000 troops currently preparing for deployment.
What roles are North Korean workers performing in Russia?
Roughly 25,000 North Korean citizens, including a significant number of women, are working inside Russian drone manufacturing facilities to support military production.
What has Vladimir Putin stated regarding a new mobilization?
Putin has publicly claimed that a new partial mobilization is not planned because current replenishment rates satisfy the military’s strategy of gradually displacing Ukrainian forces.
In September 2022, the Russian government implemented a partial military mobilization after months of officially denying any plans to draft reservists.
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