Putin exaggerates recruitment figures to project strength ahead of Ukraine talks — ISW

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported the information.

On May 13, Putin claimed that 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers voluntarily join the Russian army each month. According to analysts, he is inflating these numbers to project the image of a powerful military force ahead of negotiations with Ukraine and the West.

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov provided data on conscription at the end of 2024, stating that the country is recruiting enough soldiers to replace recent losses.

In January, Russian Security Council Secretary Dmitry Medvedev reported that in 2024, around 450,000 people signed contracts for military service, and another 40,000 joined volunteer formations. According to him, Russian military officials aim to "maintain this momentum."

Background

In a nighttime address on May 11, Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed he was ready for direct talks with Ukraine in Turkey next week, but he dismissed the idea of a 30-day truce. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would keep working with both sides and predicted that the coming week would be “great.”

On May 12, the German government announced that if Russia did not agree to ceasefire in Ukraine by the end of the day, European partners would begin preparations for new sanctions. In contrast, the Kremlin stated that “the language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia.”

Advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Mykhailo Podolyak, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would not meet with any Russian representative other than Vladimir Putin in Turkey on May 15.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the talks in Istanbul with Kyiv should recognize the "realities on the ground," including Russia’s incorporation of Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed he will visit Turkey on May 15 to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He also said he is ready to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.