Russian President Putin Orders Partial Mobilisation Of Reserves, Warns West

Putin ordered, a "partial mobilisation" of Russian reserves saying a decree on this has already been signed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a gathering marking the 220th anniversary of the Justice Ministry in Moscow on September 20, 2022.

Source : AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced a partial mobilisation of Russian reserves during a televised national address, the first since he sent troops into Ukraine in February. Putin's military mobilisation order comes a day after Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans to hold a referendum on becoming integral parts of Russia.

Putin said a decree on mobilization has already been signed.

"Decree on mobilisation has been signed and will come into effect on Wednesday. Those called up will receive full status/payments the same as contractors," Russia's RT quoting Russian President Vladimir Putin reported.

"I stress it is partial mobilisation. Only those who are in reserve will be conscripted," he said in his televised address. 

⚡️President Putin Address - Key Points:

- West is calling to weaken, divide and destroy Russia

- Support for compatriots to determine their own futures pic.twitter.com/qdB92XSCSG

— RT (@RT_com) September 21, 2022

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia will mobilise 300,000 reservists over the conflict in Ukraine, the news agency AFP reported. He also said Russia fighting "not so much Ukraine, as the West".

'Nuclear Blackmail'

Putin reminded the West that Russia has modern weapons of destruction, saying: "I am not bluffing."

"The West has crossed the line. West is calling to weaken, divide and destroy Russia," Russia's RT quoted Putin as saying.

Putin also accused the West of engaging in “nuclear blackmail” and noted “statements of some high-ranking representatives of the leading NATO states about the possibility of using nuclear weapons of mass destruction against Russia.”

“To those who allow themselves such statements regarding Russia, I want to remind you that our 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 the means at our disposal,” Putin said in his address.