Russia May Mobilize 300,000 More Troops to Seize Donetsk as Zelensky Cites 267,000 Losses
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 23
Russia May Mobilize 300,000 More Troops to Seize Donetsk as Zelensky Cites 267,000 Losses
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 23
Summary
300,000 additional Russian troops could be mobilized after next month’s parliamentary elections, Zelensky said, arguing Moscow wants to finish occupying Donetsk by year-end.
267,000 Russian personnel have been lost since January, including about 155,000 killed, Zelensky claimed, yet he said Russia is likely to end 2026 holding roughly the same amount of Ukrainian territory as at the start.
20% of Donetsk remains under Ukrainian control, including Slaviansk and Kramatorsk, and Zelensky said Russia may also probe Kharkiv and Sumy while massing equipment near the border.
264 Patriot missiles are forecast for Ukraine this year versus 675 in 2023, Zelensky said, warning reduced US supply is weakening defenses against Russia’s growing ballistic missile campaign.
Next summer could mark the outer window for serious peace efforts, Zelensky said, as Kyiv works with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on a one-page set of acceptable settlement options.