Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced a partial mobilization utilizing conscription in his country, requiring Russian citizens to join the war effort in Ukraine. Putin also warned Western nations not to attack territories identified as Russian territories or be met with swift retaliation.
Putin’s recent address comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reached almost seven months, and Ukraine’s military has seen recent victories in its successful counteroffensive. Conscription is “fully adequate to the threats we face, namely to protect our homeland, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity, to ensure the security of our people and people in the liberated territories,” proclaimed Putin.
“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,” said Putin.
Putin’s statement comes as Russia announced it intends to hold elections in Russian-controlled regions in southern and eastern Ukraine, allowing those regions to join Russia. As a result, such elections would most likely result in an escalation of the war.
Putin continues to threaten West
Russian President Vladimir Putin is now threatening the West not to interfere and discouraging them to not “nuclear blackmail” them or use nukes against Russia.
“To those who allow themselves such statements regarding Russia, I want to remind you that our own country also has various means of destruction, and for separate components and more modern than those of NATO countries and when the territorial integrity of our country is threatened to protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all use all the means at our disposal,” said Putin. “It’s not a bluff.”
If the regions vote to join Russia, Russia’s Security Council deputy head said it would allow his country to use “any means” to defend them. According to Dmitry Medvedev, the expected vote to join Russia is “irreversible.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned such voting efforts saying they amount to just “noise.” “The situation on the front line clearly indicates that the initiative belongs to Ukraine. Our positions do not change because of the noise or any announcements somewhere. And we enjoy the full support of our parents in this.”
The ‘referendum votes’ were quickly dismissed by Western leaders as they were expected to go in Russia’s favor.
“I thank all friends and partners of Ukraine for today’s mass principled firm condemnation of Russia’s attempts to stage new sham referenda,” said Zelenskyy.
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said the “shame referenda and mobilization are signs of weakness [and] of Russian failure.”
“The United States will never recognize Russia’s claim to purportedly annexed Ukrainian territory, and we will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Brink said.
Defense Secretary of the U.K. Ben Wallace responded similarly to Putin’s comments and tweeted, “President Putin’s breaking of his own promises not to mobilize parts of his population and the illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine, are an admission that his invasion is failing. He and his Defense Minister have sent tens of thousands of their own citizens to their deaths, ill-equipped and badly led.”
Wallace continued, “No amount of threats and propaganda can hide the fact that Ukraine is winning this war, the international community is united, and Russia is becoming a global pariah.”
The United Kingdom’s Defense Ministry also updated intelligence information concerning the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. “These referendums follow the Russian Duma’s formal recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics on 21 February 2022. This urgency is likely driven by fears of imminent Ukrainian attack and an expectation of greater security after formally becoming part of Russia.”
The ministry continued, “The Russian civilian and military leadership has faced significant pressure over the last two weeks. These new measures have highly likely been brought forwards due to public criticism and mark a further development in Russia’s strategy.”
Other countries, including Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, China, and the Netherlands, also condemned Putin’s statements.
A nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, which would be under complete Russian control following an election to join the country, is of grave concern in the international community.
