Vladimir Putin announces partial mobilization to defend Russia’s territorial integrity

In a televised speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced new measures to strengthen the position of his army in Ukraine, after the two defeats suffered during the month of September by the Russian troops stationed on the Kharkiv and Kherson fronts, in the war started on February 24.

This situation has led Putin to follow the advice of the Ministry of Defense and decree partial mobilization in Russian territory, which, in theory, exempts civilians from military service and only concerns people who have taken part in the Army in occasion or have military experience. However, the decree that authorizes this measure does not clearly clarify which groups of citizens it affects and only attends to quickly comply with the personnel requirement for the war.

“I consider it necessary to support the proposal (from the Ministry of Defense) of partial mobilization of citizens in the reserve, those who have already served (…) and who have relevant experience. We will guarantee the territorial integrity of Russia (including occupied territories) with all available means, ”the head of the Kremlin declared during his message.

How many troops would be mobilized? After Vladimir Putin’s message, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigo gave the answer to this question: 300,000 reservists out of the 2 million Russia has will join the so-called “service for the fatherland.” The start date of this call is immediate and mandatory, under penalty of imprisonment.

This announcement comes after the last Tuesday from the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk and Lugansk, the start of a referendum on the accession of these territories to the Russian Federation was announced for September 23, despite the fact that internationally and legally these regions continue to belong to Ukraine.

If the annexation occurs, Russia could consider that the Ukrainian incursions in these places would be acts of “invasion” and therefore, cause for war, it would give rise to a greater mobilization, even evaluating a situation of general mobilization.

On the other hand, Vladimir Putin pointed out to the West that he had entered a state of “nuclear blackmail” against Russia, with the aim of hindering the so-called “special operation in Ukraine” and Russia’s movements in favor of its security. In consideration of this, he warned that his country also has ways to defend itself against Western pressure.

“To those who are allowed such statements about Russia, I want to remind you that our country also has various means. And in terms of individual components and more modern than NATO countries,” Putin said.

Source-larepublica.pe