Russia beginning 'additional mobilization' of troops, North Korean recruitment, Zelensky warns

In his nightly video address, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Sept. 28 that Moscow is beginning further troop mobilizations following Russian parliamentary elections.

"Today, the GUR reported on the measures that Russia is planning in the future," Zelensky said. "In fact, the Russians have already begun additional mobilization - they are increasing the number of people they are recruiting using various methods."

The president said that Russia is looking to "increase the involvement of foreigners" in its armed forces. North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 troops against Ukraine, in addition to the more than 8,000 military personnel currently stationed in Russia. In return for troops, Zelensky said that Russia is providing technological assistance to North Korea, and that Shahed attack drones are now being produced by Pyongyang.

"This is how evil spreads and how a threat to life in one part of the world spreads to other parts of the world," Zelensky said. "This can only be overcome together."

The president previously angered South Korea's leadership after divulging details captured North Korean troops in his speech at the 81st U.N. General Debate.

Zelensky's warnings came as Russian state media reports that President Vladimir Putin authorized an increase in the size of Russia's armed forces on Sept. 28. Under the decree, Russia's military personnel will be set at 2,441,630, including 1,550,500 active-duty personnel. This would be an increase of 15,500 personnel. This marks the fourth increase in the size of the Russian army since the beginning of 2025.

The additional mobilization was expected by experts following the victory of Putin's United Russia party in the nation's parliamentary elections on Sept. 21. The elections were widely viewed as rigged by election observers.

Ukrainian intelligence says Russia's General Staff is prepared to mobilize around 300,000 personnel in 2026 and 2027 each. These forces are in addition to roughly 400,000 people a year that Russia needs to recruit just to replenish its forces, a senior Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent.

To help combat Moscow's troop increase, Zelensky called for further sanctions on Russia and aid from allies as Ukraine continues to be battered by widespread Russian drone and missile attacks .

Ex-defense minister Fedorov announces new 'Army of Robots' initiative in latest move since leaving office

Zelensky breaches confidentiality agreement by disclosing transfer of North Korean POWs, South Korea says

US senators push Trump to rescind Putin's invitation to G20 summit

Serbia grants citizenship to former Ukrainian MP Novynskyi, wanted on treason suspicion

Zelensky says over 10,000 Russian troops killed or wounded this week as Ukrainian military advances in Lyman sector

Russia is planning to spend 17.1 trillion roubles ($202.58 billion) on its military in 2027, an increase of around 27% over the previously budgeted amount.

The president said that Russia is looking to "increase the involvement of foreigners" in its armed forces. North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 troops against Ukraine, in addition to the more than 8,000 military personnel currently stationed in Russia.

On the last day of his official visit to France, Pope Leo XIV called for concessions to create peace between Russia and Ukraine. The pontiff did not give details on what a peaceful resolution for the war would entail.

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the drone struck Ukrainian territory around 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Dorohusk crossing and did not enter Polish airspace.

When asked what concerned them most, 50% of Ukrainians cited corruption, while 40% cited Russia’s mass missile and drone attacks.

The shelters will initially be installed at stations in densely populated areas and near major roads and will be available to anyone nearby, Ukrnafta CEO Bohdan Kukura said.

The Ukrainian Chess Federation (UCF) issued a protest on Sept. 28 after Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Presidential Office, accepted the title of vice president at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) alongside a former Russian minister.

The Ukrainian judicial watchdog Dejure argued in June that "rather than improving the integrity declaration system, (the integrity declarations law) effectively dismantles integrity declarations as a meaningful tool for holding judges accountable."

Visual identification of targets by pilots would not longer be required, Poland's Deputy Defense Minister said.

The Kyiv Independent community helped raise more than $24,000 through an online store collection launched to mark World Press Freedom Day, enabling the purchase of 26 drone detectors to help protect independent journalists reporting from Ukraine’s front lines.

As Russia adapts to Ukraine's middle strikes, elite drone units stay ahead of the curve

Russia's rigged election gives Putin a mandate for all-out war

As Putin edges towards mobilization, Russian reservists are already panicking

Investigation: Western machinery at the heart of Russian arms producers like Kalashnikov