Kyiv has reacted with derision to the partial mobilization ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The external advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office, Mykhailo Podoliak, asked on Twitter on Wednesday: "Is everything still going according to plan or not?" The war planned for "three days" has already lasted 210 days.

The Russians, who demanded Ukraine's annihilation, have now received mobilization, closed borders, blocked accounts and prison sentences for deserters, among other things.

"Life has a wonderful sense of humor," concluded Podoljak.

His colleague Oleksiy Arestovych interpreted the Kremlin's move as meaning that the high losses are forcing Russia to take this measure.

"There are more than 100,000 killed and wounded, closer to 150,000," wrote Arestovych.

The next 150,000 have already been mentally written off.

"How good it is to be Russian under Putin," he wrote wryly.

On Wednesday Moscow had spoken of 5,937 dead members of its own military since the beginning of the war.

Independent observers also believe that the real losses are many times higher than stated.

Russia invaded Ukraine almost seven months ago.

In the war dubbed "special operations," the Kremlin ordered the recruitment of 300,000 reservists after successful Ukrainian counterattacks.

Russia's opposition calls for protests against partial mobilization.

"Thousands of Russian men - our fathers, brothers and husbands - will be thrown into the meat grinder of war," the anti-war movement Vesna said.

She appeals to the Russians to take to the streets in large cities on Wednesday to protest.

One of the best-known Putin opponents, Alexei Navalnyj, spoke up from prison.

In a video message recorded and released by his lawyers, he said: "It is clear that this criminal war is getting worse, more intense, and Putin is trying to involve as many as he possibly can."

Scholz sees Moscow's failures as a reason for partial mobilization

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) sees failures in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine as the reason for Putin's announcement of partial mobilization.

Scholz took note of Putin's statements, said a government spokesman in Berlin on Wednesday and quoted the Chancellor as saying: "All of this can only be explained against the background of the fact that the Russian attack on Ukraine was unsuccessful."

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) had previously said that the partial mobilization was "a further escalation of this illegal war of aggression against Ukraine".

This is a "bad and wrong step from Russia", the consequences of which will be discussed by the federal government.

The economy minister added that for him it was "clear that we will continue to give our full support to Ukraine".

FDP leader Christian Lindner said that Ukraine would not be intimidated by the partial mobilization "and we shouldn't do it either".

The partial mobilization shows, however, that we are dealing with a long-lasting conflict.

“We have to adapt to this politically and economically.

Above all, we must examine with our allies and partners how we can support Ukraine in the long-term fight for peace and freedom.”

Great Britain sees Putin's decision as a sign of weakness.

"President (Vladimir) Putin's breaking his own promises not to mobilize sections of the population and the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories are admissions that his invasion is failing," Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on Wednesday.

Poland raises serious allegations against Moscow.

Russia will try to destroy Ukraine and change its borders, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

"Together with our allies, we will do everything to ensure that NATO supports Ukraine even more, so that it can defend itself." Morawiecki calls for more help for Kyiv from the western allies.