MOSCOW : Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday, pointing to the threats to the country’s existence posed by the West and the inevitable nature of the special military operation in Ukraine.
The stretched-out frontline, the constant shelling of Russian borderline areas by the Ukrainian military and attacks on liberated regions required the call-up of servicemen from the reserve, Putin explained.
Russia will call up reservists who have already served in the army and will arrange for their training. The reservists and Donbass volunteers will be entitled to the same guarantees enjoyed by contract-enlisted servicemen.
The combat engagement line now stretches over 1,000 km in the special military operation in Ukraine while terrorist strikes from Western weapons are already being delivered against Russian borderline areas. “NATO is conducting reconnaissance actually across the entire south of Russia in real time, using advanced systems, aircraft and ships, satellites and strategic drones.”
Nuclear blackmail has also begun to be used: “This involves not only the West-encouraged bombardments of the Zaporozhye NPP, which may trigger a nuclear disaster, but also the pronouncements by representatives of leading NATO countries about the possibility and the admissibility of using weapons of mass destruction against Russia.”
As proposed by the Russian General Staff and the Defense Ministry, Russia will call a partial mobilization and these measures will begin already on September 21.
Russia will call up reservists, primarily those who served in the army. Mobilized citizens will undergo required training and enjoy the same guarantees that are given to contract-enlisted personnel. The Russian government and the Defense Ministry will equate Donbass volunteer formations to Russian servicemen in their status.