Russia prepares population for possible mobilization, says Kyiv

Kovalenko shared this in a Telegram post, noting that Apti Alauddinov, who commands the Chechen "Akhmat" unit, openly speaks about the necessity of mobilizing "a couple of million" men for the war against Europe, threatening the West with total defeat and the collapse of NATO. 

"This is part of a larger informational campaign testing the Russian population's reaction to the prospect of total war. This narrative will be studied, with population reactions measured, and the results will be presented to Putin," Kovalenko explained.

He also pointed out that similar ideas have been expressed by other Russian officials, and social media is spreading messages about urgent meetings in Moscow regarding a new war scenario.

"The Kremlin is trying to convince Russians of the inevitability of conflict and the need for a new wave of mobilization, presenting it as the path to a 'quick victory.' I have previously said that in 4-6 years, Russia plans a possible invasion of the Baltic States. However, now involving millions of people would mean a prolonged and exhausting war, which could last for decades, turning Russia into a military camp like in 1941-1945," Kovalenko emphasized.

According to him, "If Russian society does not express active resistance, the realization of this scenario will only be a matter of time." 

"Instead of coffee in Vilnius, Russia will lose additional territories and statehood within its current borders, and national formations within what remains of Russia will appear sooner," Kovalenko concluded.

• Several Russian websites simultaneously reported that "Ukrainian parents are withdrawing their children from universities en masse to save them from mobilization."