"At least 10% will surrender": Ukrainian MP explains why Putin cannot call for mobilization

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

"Now the Russians have announced a counterterrorist operation in three regions - Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod. They announce such operations because they cannot protect their own citizens in their country. Putin and his entourage are always bluffing when they say that they will use much more powerful weapons than they use on the battlefield," Nalyvaichenko explained.

The MP added that no matter what Putin and his entourage do now, the situation will only get worse.

"If martial law is introduced in Russia, Putin will be forced to announce mobilization. However, he cannot do this. In the Kursk region, during our operation, numerous Russian conscripts immediately surrendered, and this is only at the border. If we imagine that during martial law in Russia, more than 200,000 people will be mobilized at once, at least 10% of them will immediately surrender. Putin is leading Russia to a large-scale catastrophe. He is out of good scenarios. Whatever he and his associates do, the situation will only get worse," he added.

Ukraine’s cross-border incursion in Russia’s Kursk region

On August 6, the authorities of Russia's Kursk region stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces allegedly tried to break through the Russian border, but were allegedly pushed back. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that "the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group retreated to its territory.”

On August 7, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin convened the Russian military leadership to discuss the situation in the Kursk region, which he called a "large-scale provocation." At the time, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on the international community to "strongly condemn the Kyiv regime's criminal attacks on Russian territory."

Additionally, in the Kursk region, the Russians have started forming UAV operator units from civilians, providing them with up to 10 hours of training.

On August 7, a state of emergency was introduced in the Kursk region.

On August 8, the Institute for War Studies reported that Ukrainian troops confirmed advancing up to 10 km deep into the Kursk region as mechanized offensives continued.

The Washington Post reported that Ukraine has taken control of the gas metering station in Sudzha, Kursk region. Previously, Russia claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had occupied several border villages and part of the town of Sudzha.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated that Ukraine’s actions in the Kursk region in Russia "are consistent with U.S. policy" and do not cause any escalation.

On Friday, August 9, it was reported that terrorists from PMC Wagner intend to fight for Russia in the Kursk region.

The Wall Street Journal, citing its own sources, reported that Russian military leaders have decided to withdraw some of their occupation forces from Ukraine to redeploy them to the Kursk region in response to Ukraine’s military operations.

On August 13, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the advance of Ukraine’s Defense Forces in Russia’s Kursk region continues, with 74 settlements currently under Ukrainian control. 

On August 13, John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator at the White House National Security Council, suggested that if Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is concerned about the developments in the Kursk region, he could choose to end the war.

Since the start of August 14, the Defense Forces have captured over 100 Russian soldiers.