President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced “partial” mobilization in Russia, in an escalation of what Moscow calls its military operation in pro-Western Ukraine.
“I consider it necessary to support the proposal of the Defence Ministry and the General Staff to conduct partial mobilization in the Russian Federation,” Putin said during a televised address to the nation, adding that a relevant decree has already been signed.
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He added that a relevant decree has already been signed and will come into force on Wednesday.
Putin said that Russia will use all available means to protect its territory, accusing the West of seeking to “weaken, divide and ultimately destroy our country”.
“When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people. This is not a bluff,” Putin said.
“Those who are trying to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the wind can also turn in their direction,” Putin added.
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