Russian President Vladimir Putin’s new mobilization campaign threatens to escalate a war that has already killed thousands, displaced millions, pulverized cities, damaged the global economy and reignited a Cold War standoff. Although polls indicate broad domestic support for Russia’s intervention in Ukraine, mass mobilization could be a domestically risky move after past Kremlin promises not to and a series of battlefield failures in Ukraine. “Every normal person is [concerned]said a Russian man identifying himself only as Sergey, disembarking in Belgrade after a flight from Moscow on Thursday. “War is horrible. It’s okay to be afraid of war and death and things like that.” A Russian who arrived at Istanbul airport on Thursday said he left in part because of the Kremlin’s decision. “Partial mobilization is one of the reasons I’m here. [It’s a] very bad step and looks like it can lead to a lot of problems [for] many Russian citizens,” said Alex, who declined to give his last name. Another Russian, who gave his name only as Vasili, arrived in Istanbul with his wife, teenage daughter and six suitcases. “The mobilization was inevitable because there was a shortage of manpower. I am not worried because I am already 59 years old and my son lives abroad,” he said. WATCHES | Russia mobilizes 300,000 reservists for war in Ukraine:
Russia is mobilizing 300,000 reservists for the war in Ukraine
In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin said a partial mobilization would be necessary for the next phase of the war with Ukraine. He also accused the West of engaging in “nuclear blackmail”. More than 1,300 people were arrested in anti-war protests in 38 Russian cities on Wednesday, according to a monitoring group. Some of those arrested had been ordered to report to conscription offices on Thursday, the first full day of recruitment, independent news agencies reported. More rallies are planned for the weekend. Russia said reports of a mass exodus were exaggerated. Russian news agencies, meanwhile, reported Thursday that 10,000 people had volunteered to fight even before their invitation papers arrived, citing the Russian General Staff. A Russian citizen who gave his name only as Vasiliy arrived in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday with his wife and teenage daughter. He said “mobilization was inevitable” for Russia “because there was a shortage of manpower” to fight the war in Ukraine. (Reuters)
A few details about the mobilization
Putin’s decree on Wednesday about the mobilization was short on details. The defense minister told him that up to 300,000 reservists could be intercepted. It was apparently an attempt to build on momentum after a Ukrainian counteroffensive this month that recaptured swaths of Russian-held territory. The Russian anti-war protest movement Vesna (Spring) called for more demonstrations on Saturday. “In the end, a fine or a few days in jail is better than a funeral,” she said in a statement. Russian state pollsters say more than 70 percent of Russians support what the Kremlin calls a “special military operation” that began on February 24, although a leaked poll in July showed an even split between those who wanted it to stop or the fighting continues.
Increased traffic at land borders
Air ticket prices from Moscow exceeded US$5,000 for one-way flights to the nearest foreign locations, with most selling out in the following days. Traffic also increased at the border crossings with Finland and Georgia. Traffic reaching Finland’s eastern border with Russia “intensified” overnight and remained elevated during daytime hours on Thursday, the Finnish Border Guard said. Cars coming from Russia wait in long lines at the border checkpoint between Russia and Finland near Vaalimaa on Thursday. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images) Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland began turning Russians away from crossings at midnight on Monday, leaving Finland as the only way for Russian citizens to enter the European Union from Russia by land. Finland, whose 1,300km border with Russia is the longest in the EU, is closely monitoring the situation, Finnish Defense Minister Andi Kaikkonen said on Wednesday. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said on Wednesday that his country may “restrict or completely prevent” tourism from Russia.
Zelensky demands ‘just punishment’
Addressing world leaders at the annual UN General Assembly in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the United Nations to create a special court and strip Moscow of its veto power in the Security Council. “A crime has been committed against Ukraine and we demand fair punishment,” Zelensky said via video on Wednesday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Thursday that talk of a nuclear conflict was “totally unacceptable”. He also essentially warned Russia not to take the territories saying that “any annexation of a state’s territory by another state resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the UN Charter and international law.” The Security Council has been unable to take any meaningful action on Ukraine because Russia is a veto-wielding permanent member along with the United States, France, Britain and China. Thursday’s meeting was at least the 20th for Ukraine this year.
More attacks in Ukrainian cities
On the ground, the Russian military fired nine rockets into the city of Zaporizhzhia, hitting a hotel and a power station, regional governor Oleksandr Starukh said. At least one person died and others were trapped under the rubble, he said. Zaporizhzhia is about 50 kilometers from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. In the southern Russian-controlled city of Melitopol, also in the Zaporizhzhia region, an explosion hit a crowded market. The city’s exiled mayor said he killed three soldiers and was organized by occupation forces to accuse Ukraine of terrorism, while a member of the Russian-installed local administration accused Ukrainian special services of trying to cause chaos on the eve of the vote. . Pro-Moscow regional leaders have announced referendums on joining Russia from Friday to September 27 in the provinces of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia — about 15 percent of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine and its allies have denounced it as a “fraud” to try to legitimize an illegal land grab.
