The Daily Populous Monday April 20th, 2026 morning edition
Authored by pravda.com.ua and submitted by Routine-Appeals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that the reason Russia is restricting access to social media is to prevent unrest in the event of a general mobilisation for a major new offensive against Ukraine or an attack on one of the Baltic states.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview aired on the joint 24/7 TV newscast on Sunday evening

Quote: "Russia's restrictions on social media are not about limiting criticism of the head of state. In my view, there is a deeper purpose – to prevent uprisings. What could cause uprisings in our northern neighbour? A number of things, a number of scenarios.

The first is general mobilisation, large-scale mobilisation in Russia. The mobilisation of people from major cities, including Moscow, of course, and St Petersburg.

Why would such large-scale mobilisation be carried out? To conduct another offensive – a major offensive against Ukraine. Option B: to conduct a smaller parallel offensive, at lower cost and less effort, somewhere where you can get by with fewer combat forces. Why? Because some states – one of the Baltics, for example – are not prepared for strong resistance."

Details: Zelenskyy said in summary that Russia's Plan A is "large-scale mobilisation, restrictions on social media, and launching an offensive".

"As for where, I think they have several options. And here he [Putin] is watching what is happening with the NATO countries. I think that's what will determine the choice: whether they will get involved or not," the president said.

Asked whether NATO Article 5 would be triggered in the event of an attack on the Baltic states, Zelenskyy replied: "I think that perhaps not all countries would want to support [the Baltic states], but in my view, NATO countries will have no choice – otherwise there will be no NATO. They will need to unite and respond to what Putin could potentially do. Otherwise they just won't have an alliance anymore."

IntelArtiGen on April 19th, 2026 at 19:31 UTC »

I hope it won't be a surprise for anyone, because many top officials in Europe have warned of this risk. Prepare to see hundreds of saboteurs, fake declaration of independence (autonomous republic of narva), soldiers without insignia etc.

Putin needs war to survive, if and when it stops in Ukraine it'll surely start quickly after somewhere else. And Russia clearly is preparing for this, they're not sending everything in Ukraine right now.

Brilliant_Version344 on April 19th, 2026 at 19:31 UTC »

Mobilisation was hugely unpopular when Russia first did it general mobilisation would be a nightmare for Russian officials

TemporaryAsparagus89 on April 19th, 2026 at 19:23 UTC »

Russia can't even handle Ukraine let alone the Baltic states