Russian President Vladimir
Putin ordered a partial mobilization of reservists in Russia, in a measure that
appeared to be an admission that Moscow’s war against Ukraine isn’t
going according to plan after nearly seven months of fighting and amid recent
battlefield losses for the Kremlin’s forces.
The Russian leader, in a
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.p of Reservists Amid Setbacks in Ukraine
The total number of reservists
to be called up is 300,000, officials said.
Only those with relevant
combat and service experience will be mobilized, Russian Defense Minister
Sergei Shoigu said. He added that there are around 25 million people who fit these criteria, but only around 1% of them will be mobilized.
Putin’s announcement came
against the backdrop of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, where Moscow’s
invasion of Ukraine last February has been the target of broad international
criticism.
