Putin orders partial mobilization and threatens the West – “I'm not bluffing”

Created: 09/21/2022, 10:31 am

In this still, from video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, in Moscow, Russia.

© dpa/Russian Presidential Press Service/AP

On Wednesday, Russia wants to start partially mobilizing the army in the Ukraine war.

This was announced by Vladimir Putin in a televised speech.

Moscow – Almost seven months after the start of the Ukraine war and shortly after the announcement of several annexation referendums, Russia ordered a partial mobilization of its own armed forces.

He made this decision after a proposal from the Defense Ministry and signed the decree, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin said in a recorded television speech.

The partial mobilization will begin this Wednesday (September 21).

In the Ukraine war, Putin orders partial mobilization in Russia – 300,000 reservists affected

In his speech, Putin in particular accused the United States, with President Joe Biden, of planning military moves on Russian soil.

"If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will definitely use all available means to protect Russia and our people.

This is not a bluff," Putin said.

According to the Ministry of Defense, 300,000 reservists are to be mobilized.

He supports the Defense Ministry's proposal to mobilize reservists who have already served and "have relevant experience," Putin said.

There are a total of 25 million reservists in Russia, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on state TV.

His country is fighting "not so much against Ukraine, but against the West"

Ukraine war: Putin threatens the West – “Want to destroy Russia”

With the announcement, Putin paves the way for a further escalation in the Ukraine war.

In his address to the nation, Putin accused the West of wanting to "destroy" Russia.

"It is in our historical tradition, in the destiny of our people, to stop those who strive for world domination, who threaten our motherland, our homeland, with dismemberment and oppression," Putin said.

Russia's nuclear weapons were put into combat readiness early on in the course of the war in Ukraine.

At the same time, Putin warned against "blackmailing" Russia with nuclear weapons.

"Those who are trying to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the compass rose can turn in their direction," Russia's president said.

In view of the success of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, the authorities deployed by Moscow in the eastern Ukrainian separatist areas and in the occupied areas in southern Ukraine had announced short-term referendums on union with Russia the day before.

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