Almost seven months after the start of the war against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered partial mobilization in Russia.
Putin said in a televised speech that he made this decision based on a proposal from the Defense Ministry and signed the decree.
The partial mobilization will begin this Wednesday.
“Only those citizens who are in the reserve, and especially those who have served in the armed forces, have certain military specialties and relevant experience, are called up.
Those who are called up for military service will definitely undergo additional military preparation before being sent to their unit," Putin said. According to the defense minister, 300,000 reservists are to be mobilized.
Russia will use all means to protect its territorial integrity, Putin said.
He also mentioned nuclear weapons.
He accused the West of using nuclear blackmail on Russia.
Russia has "many weapons to respond to," Putin said.
He doesn't bluff.
Putin has already put the strategic nuclear arsenal on increased readiness to deter NATO from interfering in Ukraine.
In addition, Putin announced the possible annexation of Ukrainian territories using the sham referendums in the occupied territories.
"We support the decision made by the majority of citizens in the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, in the Kherson and Zaporizhia Oblasts," he said.
In addition to the self-proclaimed People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, the Russian-occupied areas of Cherson and Zaporizhia in the south also want a vote on joining Russia.
The simultaneous mock referendums are to be held from 23 to 27 September.
They are seen as a reaction to the current Ukrainian counter-offensive in the east of the country.