Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a major, covert mobilization and plans to deploy tens of thousands of North Korean troops to Russian territory, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Aug. 8. Speaking during the national telethon, Zelensky stated that Putin is searching for ways to increase his troop numbers without declaring a draft, knowing he cannot yet secure a victory in Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “He is thinking about how to deceive his own people,” Zelensky said. “To carry out mass mobilization without announcing it. To make some shadow contracts, block borders, and so on. We see this. We are already seeing many corresponding steps.” Twisting the Anchorage terms Zelensky emphasized that Putin requires a tangible victory to sell to the Russian public, which currently hinges on capturing the entirety of the Donbas region. However, Zelensky rejected the possibility of a voluntary retreat. “We are not going to withdraw on our own. So what can he sell as a victory?” Zelensky asked. “He will twist those Anchorage terms that they discussed with the American side, with the US President.” According to Russian interpretations, these “Anchorage terms” refer to backchannel discussions regarding the territorial component of a future peace agreement and the special status of Donbas. “No one is going to abandon their country, their people, and simply walk away,” Zelensky added. “Because no one can guarantee that this man will not go further.”