KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization of reservists in Russia on Wednesday, risking a deeply unpopular step that follows a string of humiliating setbacks for his troops nearly seven months after invading Ukraine.
It’s the first mobilization in Russia since World War II and is sure to further fuel tensions with the Western backers of Ukraine, who derided the move as an act of weakness. The move also sent Russians scrambling to buy plane tickets out of the country.
The Russian leader, in a seven-minute televised address to the nation aired on Wednesday morning, also warned the West that he isn’t bluffing over using all the means at his disposal to protect Russia’s territory, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to Russia’s nuclear capability. Putin has previously warned the West not to back Russia against the wall and has rebuked NATO countries for supplying weapons to help Ukraine.
www.nsnews.com/the-mix/putin-sets-partial-military-call-up-wont-bluff-on-nukes-5848890
BREAKING: Putin declares partial mobilization, the decree has been signed.
“Only citizens who are currently in the reserve and, above all, those who served in the Armed Forces, have certain military specialties and relevant experience, will be subject to conscription.“ pic.twitter.com/97TrW0EvWV
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) September 21, 2022
Just read bits of Putin's speech. (It's from Google translate so not perfect)
All the media are saying crazy Putin's threatening to nuke everyone. Sounded more defensive to me… pic.twitter.com/GdO4ysVVMs— Tess Summers 🇬🇧🇮🇪 (@tesssummers98) September 21, 2022