Russia to Conscription 409000 Soldiers in 2026 Forming 11 Divisions | Ukraine news
According to LB.ua’s interview with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, LB.ua
The Russian authorities in 2026 plan to conscript into their army 409,000 people, from whom they will form no fewer than 11 divisions. Such statements were made by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, during an interview. According to him, Russia’s mobilization potential is currently estimated at over 20 million people, of which 4.5 million are already a “prepared resource”.
“At the same time, despite the fact that the enemy fulfilled its mobilization plans by more than 100% (in 2025), mobilizing for the staffing of troops of various kinds 406,000 personnel, we managed to keep the enemy’s strength at around 711,000 personnel for almost half a year (this is the offensive grouping in Ukraine).
– Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi
According to Syrskyi, in 2026 the Russian leadership intends to continue expanding the size of the armed forces. It is planned to form no fewer than 11 divisions and to conscript around 409,000 people, and to continue implementing those tasks that were not completed last year.
“On the one hand, this disrupted plans to carry out active, effective offensive actions. On the other hand, it forced the enemy to demobilize or draw on part of the strategic reserve. They planned to form 14 divisions, formed no more than half, and even that partially. The resources went to replenishing losses”
– General Oleksandr Syrskyi
On December 16, 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia, in its war against Ukraine, loses about 30,000 soldiers per month, and added that Ukrainian authorities have video evidence from drones confirming these casualty figures.
“They plan to form no fewer than 11 divisions… They plan to conscript 409,000 personnel… And continue those plans and tasks that were not completed last year”
– Syrskyi
On December 17 of last year, the head of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Andrey Belousov, stated that about 410,000 people voluntarily joined military service under contract in 2025, and claimed that the plan to recruit for the Russian Armed Forces had been exceeded.
At the end of 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on conscription into the ranks of the Russian Army, which will run continuously throughout the entire year 2026 – from January 1 to December 31. Previously, conscription in Russia took place twice a year at clearly defined terms.
