Rumors of a new wave of mobilization persist, even though the Kremlin steadfastly denies this. At the moment it is still being drawn in a “scary” way.
Moscow/Vienna. When the Kremlin openly denies something, there is probably some truth to it. This is how one might describe the current speculation about a new wave of mobilization in Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeatedly denied such questions for weeks. No, no further mobilization is planned. He last said this on Tuesday. The matter is being exaggerated by foreign sources, Peskov complained to journalists.
However, domestic and foreign observers closely followed every step taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin the next day in St Petersburg, where he celebrated the successful breakthrough of the blockade of Leningrad by Hitler’s troops 80 years ago. Putin laid flowers at Piskaryovskoye Cemetery, where thousands upon thousands of blockade victims are buried, was guided through the newly designed blockade museum, visited an armaments factory and examined the Russian electric car E-Neva. Addressing the workers, he declared that a Russian victory in Ukraine was “inevitable”. “Victory is certain, of that I have no doubt.” But the speech in which he could announce another important summons was awaited in vain. Putin rarely plays according to plan. He prefers to surprise his audience.