Updated

Vladimir Putin and Russian officials have repeatedly denied rumors of an impending new mobilization wave, calling such speculation 'nonsense.' Despite these denials, public anxiety has grown, driven by low trust in official statements and persistent speculation that Russia may need to forcibly draft hundreds of thousands more recruits as the war grinds on. Analysts note the timing of the rumors coincides with seasonal patterns and questions about whether Russia can sustain its war effort through voluntary contract recruitment alone, without resorting to another unpopular mobilization drive like the one in 2022.