New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced a partial military mobilisation, as Russian forces battle a Ukrainian counter-offensive that has regained some occupied territory. In a televised address, Putin said the partial mobilisation of its 2 million-strong military reserves was to defend Russia and its territories, claiming the West wants to destroy Russia and did not want peace in Ukraine.
“To protect homeland, its sovereignty (…), I consider it necessary to support the decision of the General Staff on partial mobilization,” he said
“We are talking about partial mobilization, that is, only citizens who are currently in the reserve will be subject to conscription, and above all, those who served in the armed forces have a certain military specialty and relevant experience,” Putin stressed according to Reuters.
The move was necessitated, Putin said, as it was incumbent for Russia to take an urgent decision to protect people in the “liberated lands”.
Putin’s address to the nation comes a day after Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans to hold referendums on whether they want to become parts of Russia. On plans for referendums in Ukraine, Putin said, “We support these people”, adding that he ordered his government to give legal status to volunteers fighting in Donbas as Russia aims to liberate the region.
