Putin Orders Massive Draft of 160K Soldiers Amid Ukraine Offensive Plans

Russia has launched its largest military draft in over a decade, summoning 160,000 men for compulsory service in what appears to be preparation for a major offensive on Ukraine. Despite ongoing peace negotiations, Russian President Vladimir Putin seems poised for a spring assault, ramping up pressure on the battlefield.

While the Kremlin claims these conscripts won't be sent directly into combat, the timing of this bi-annual draft raises eyebrows. The legislation mandates men aged 18 to 30 to serve through June 15, marking the largest conscription effort since 2011. Recent years saw smaller numbers recruited—150,000 last year and 134,500 in 2022.

Officials are sticking to their narrative: only volunteers who sign contracts are deployed to Ukraine. Yet, evidence suggests otherwise. Reports indicate some conscripts have already faced combat, with prisoners captured during Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region last August.

Putin's broader strategy has been clear for months. He's called for an increase in Russia’s military personnel, targeting 2.39 million total forces, with 1.5 million active servicemen. A report from The New Voice of Ukraine outlines Kremlin plans for a six-to-nine-month offensive spanning up to 1,000 kilometers. Possible targets include Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhya oblasts, alongside the Kursk region where Russia claims recent victories.

The offensive seems designed to strengthen Russia’s hand in ceasefire talks by maximizing pressure on Ukraine. However, international negotiations—led by the U.S.—are reportedly at a standstill. Washington’s push for an immediate 30-day ceasefire has hit roadblocks despite Moscow’s “in principle” agreement to a truce.

Experts like Rebekah Koffler, a former intelligence officer specializing in Russian strategy, believe Putin’s endgame is to prolong the war to force Ukraine into submission. "There’s no ceasefire and no peace plan to be had," Koffler states bluntly, adding that Putin’s mobilization aims to tip the balance of forces firmly in Russia's favor.

She also points to Putin’s calculated deterrence strategy amid rising tensions. With Germany and France considering deploying reassurance forces into Ukraine, Putin may be preparing for a long, grueling conflict—or even direct confrontation with NATO forces.

In her words, "Putin has prepared Russia for a protracted conflict, ready to fight till the last Ukrainian and the last NATO missile." Chilling, but not surprising for an authoritarian leader doubling down on military dominance.

As the global community watches, Ukraine braces for what could be one of the most pivotal moments in this three-year war. Whether peace talks regain traction or battle lines intensify, one thing’s for sure: Putin’s ambitions show no signs of wavering.