The measure of partial mobilization, which takes effect immediately, is aimed, according to the Russian president, at protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country – as part of the invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24..
Vladimir Putin’s statement was made this morning during a televised speech from Moscow.
“Today, our armed forces operate on a front line stretching over 1,000 kilometers, confronting not only neo-Nazi formations, but the entire Western military machine as a whole,” the Russian leader said.
Russia, Putin insisted, was prepared to use “all the means at its disposal” to “defend our homeland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, guarantee the security of our people and the people in the liberated territories.”
The Russian President once again accused the West, namely NATO and the European Union, of intending to destroy the country.
“The goal of the West is to weaken, divide and ultimately destroy our country. They are already saying that in 1991 they managed to do away with the Soviet Union and that now it is time for Russia itself to fall apart, they have been planning this for a long time,” he said.
What is this “partial mobilization”?
In this situation, Putin considered it “necessary” to support the proposal for “partial mobilization of citizens who have already served in the reserve.”Putin said, referring to the proposal of the Russian Defense Ministry.
The head of state wanted to emphasize the “combat capabilities” and “relevant experience” of the mentioned reservists.
“We are talking only about partial mobilization”he stressed after rumors of a general mobilization had circulated in recent hours.
At the request of the Ministry of Defense 300,000 reservists will be mobilized immediately. This is a partial mobilization, since there are about 25 million reservists in Russia.
The Russian president also warned against what he called “nuclear blackmail” from the West, warning that Moscow could respond to these threats with all the might of its weapons.
“If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will use all available means to protect our people – this is not bluff“crumpled.
Vladimir Putin also criticized “irresponsible Western politicians” who allowed the possibility of supplying “long-range weapons and missile systems” to Ukraine. This weapon “allowed Kyiv to attack the Crimea and other regions of Russia.”
Partial mobilization of citizens into the reserve with immediate effect comes after the recent Ukrainian offensives on the ground.
In recent weeks, Kyiv’s counter-offensive has forced Russian forces to retreat in several regions, helped in large part by military and financial aid from the West, especially the United States and the European Union.
“Ukraine has stepped up its repressive regime against its own citizens. (…) The policy of intimidation, terror and violence is taking on ever more monstrous, terrible and barbaric forms,” he added.
About referendums in different regions of Ukraine
announced on TuesdayVladimir Putin left assurances that Russia would “do everything to guarantee the security conditions” of these nationwide consultations so that the population “could express its will.”
“We will support the decision about its future, the decision that will be made by the majority of the residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson”indicated.
If this happens, the annexation of these territories by Russia – as happened with Crimea in 2014 – will pave the way for the integration of 15 percent of Ukraine’s territory into the Russian Federation.