It is the first mobilization in Russia since World War II and comes amid humiliating battlefield losses for Kremlin forces in recent weeks. The Russian leader, in a seven-minute televised address to the nation broadcast on Wednesday morning, also warned the West not to bluff by using all means at its disposal to protect Russia’s territory, in what appeared to be a veiled reference . on Russia’s nuclear capability.
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Putin has previously warned the West not to back Russia up against the wall and rebuked NATO countries for supplying weapons to help Ukraine. Story continues below ad The total number of reservists to be called up could reach 300,000, officials said. Even a partial mobilization is likely to increase frustration or sow doubts among Russians about the war in Ukraine. Shortly after Putin’s speech, Russian media reported a sharp rise in demand for air tickets abroad, amid an apparent drive to leave despite exorbitant flight prices. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, asked what has changed since he and others previously said no mobilization was planned, argued that Russia was fighting effectively against NATO’s combined force because alliance members were supplying weapons to Kyiv. Only those with relevant combat and service experience will be mobilized, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. He added that there are about 25 million people who meet these criteria, but only about one percent of them will mobilize. 4:05 Ukraine finds hundreds of bodies in mass grave in Izium, police chief says most are civilians Ukraine finds hundreds of bodies in mass grave in Izium, police chief says most are civilians Another clause in the decree prevents most professional soldiers from terminating their contracts and leaving the service until partial conscription ends. Story continues below ad Putin’s announcement came on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where Moscow’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine has been the target of widespread international criticism that has continued to put intense diplomatic pressure on Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address the rally in a pre-recorded speech on Wednesday. Putin did not travel to New York. Putin’s game has a strong element of risk – it could backfire, making the Ukraine war unpopular at home and damaging his own position, and it exposes Russia’s underlying military weaknesses.
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A Ukrainian counteroffensive launched this month has seized the military initiative away from Russia, as well as seizing large areas once held by the Russians. The speed of the counterattack saw Russian forces abandon armored vehicles and other weapons as they beat hasty retreats. A spokesman for Zelenskyy called the rally a “great tragedy” for the Russian people. In a statement to The Associated Press, Sergii Nikiforov said conscripts sent to the front lines in Ukraine would face a similar fate to ill-prepared Russian forces who were repulsed in an attack on Kyiv in the early days of the invasion last February. Trending Stories
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Story continues below ad “This is a recognition of the incompetence of the Russian professional army, which has failed in all its tasks,” Nikiforov said. The mobilization is unlikely to have consequences on the battlefield for months due to a lack of training facilities and equipment. 1:59 Zelensky visits Ukrainian cities in Kharkiv region that have been recaptured The US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, tweeted that the mobilization was a sign of “weakness, Russian failure”. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace echoed that assessment, describing Putin’s move as “an admission that his invasion is failing”. Russian political analyst Dmitry Oreskin said Putin’s announcement sounded like an “act of desperation.” He predicted that the Russians would resist the mobilization through “passive sabotage.” “People will avoid this mobilization in any way possible, they will bribe to get out of this mobilization, they will leave the country,” Oreshkin told the AP in an interview on Wednesday. Story continues below ad The announcement will not go down well with the general public, Oreshkin said, describing it as “a huge personal blow to Russian citizens, who until recently (participated in the hostilities) were happy, sitting on their couches, (watching) television.” And now the war has entered their home.”
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The head of the Duma’s defense committee, Andrei Kartapolov, said there would be no additional restrictions on the exit of reservists from Russia based on this mobilization, according to Russian media reports. Kartapolov said he wanted to “reassure” people about the mobilization. The partial mobilization order came a day after Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans to hold votes to become integral parts of Russia – a move that could set the stage for an escalation of the post-Ukraine war. successes. Referendums, which have been expected since the first months of the war, will begin on Friday in the regions of Luhansk, Kherson and the partly Russian-controlled regions of Zaporizhia and Donetsk. The polls are sure to go Moscow’s way. The war, which has killed thousands of people, raised food prices worldwide and caused energy costs to skyrocket. It has also raised fears of a possible nuclear disaster at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in the southeastern part of Ukraine now held by Russia. Investigations are also underway into possible atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. Story continues below ad 3:37 Ukrainian Armed Forces Have ‘Momentum Shift’ After Counterattack: White House Armed Forces Have ‘Momentum Shift’ After Counterattack: White House – September 13, 2022 In his speech, which was much shorter than previous speeches on the Ukraine war, Putin accused the West of engaging in “nuclear blackmail” and noted “statements by some high-ranking representatives of NATO’s leading states about the possibility of using nuclear weapons massively disaster against Russia”. He did not identify who had made such comments. “To those who allow themselves such statements about Russia, I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction, and for separate elements and more modern than those of NATO countries and when the territorial integrity of our country is threatened , protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal,” Putin said. He added: “It’s not a bluff.” Foreign leaders have described the ballots as illegal and non-binding. Zelensky said it was a “parody” and “noise” to distract the public. Story continues below ad Putin said he has already signed the decree for a partial mobilization, which is set to begin on Wednesday. A full-scale mobilization would likely be unpopular in Russia and could further affect Putin’s position after recent military setbacks in Ukraine. “We are talking about partial conscription, that is, only citizens who are currently in the reserve will be subject to conscription, and mainly those who served in the armed forces have a certain military specialty and relevant experience,” Putin said. Shoigu, the Russian defense minister, also said 5,937 Russian soldiers have been killed in the conflict in Ukraine, far below Western estimates that Russia has lost tens of thousands. The opposition Vesna movement called for nationwide protests on Wednesday, saying “Thousands of Russian men – our fathers, brothers and husbands – will be thrown into the meat grinder of war. What will they die for? What will mothers and children cry?’ It was unclear how many would dare to protest amid Russia’s comprehensive crackdown on opposition and tough laws against discrediting soldiers and the military operation. © 2022 The Canadian Press
