Europe1 .fr with AFP 9:47 a.m., September 21, 2022

Vladimir Putin spoke on Wednesday morning, a few hours after the announcement of a referendum in the separatist and pro-Russian regions and the start of the 77th Assembly of the United Nations.

The Russian president has announced a "partial mobilization" of Russians of fighting age, who will come to reinforce the army in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday a "partial mobilization" of Russians of fighting age, ie 300,000 reservists, paving the way for a major escalation in the conflict in Ukraine.

He also hinted that he was ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia against the West, which he accuses of being determined to destroy his country.

"I consider it necessary to support the (Ministry of Defense) proposal for the partial mobilization of citizens in reserve, those who have already served (...) and who have relevant experience," Vladimir Putin said in a televised address. recorded.

"The decree on partial mobilization is signed" and will come into force "today" Wednesday, added the Russian president.

"We are only talking about partial mobilization," he said, while rumors of a general mobilization have been circulating in recent hours.

300,000 reservists concerned

According to the Russian Minister of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, this represents 300,000 reservists, or "a little more than 1%" of the number of people who can be mobilized in the country, estimated at some 25 million people.

These reinforcements will be deployed to "consolidate" and "control" the rear lines, along "a front line that is more than 1,000 kilometers long" in southern and eastern Ukraine.

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This decision comes as Ukrainian forces carried out a series of counter-offensives in September, in particular forcing the Russian army to retreat in the Kharkiv region (north-eastern Ukraine).

Sergei Shoigu also acknowledged a toll of 5,937 soldiers killed since the start of his offensive at the end of February, a toll well below Ukrainian and Western estimates.

The latest report announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense reported at the end of March 1,351 soldiers killed.

Faced with "the threat" represented according to Vladimir Putin by "the Nazi regime in kyiv" and "the war machine of the West", "we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people", has warned the Russian president on Wednesday, clearly alluding to nuclear weapons.

The objectives of the military operation "unchanged

The threat resonates all the stronger as annexation referendums by Russia are planned in four Ukrainian regions from Friday.

"The goal of the West is to weaken, divide and destroy Russia", launched the Russian president in his televised address.

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According to him, the West wants to "remove sovereign and independent centers of development" in the world to strengthen itself.

"The objectives of the military operation have been and remain unchanged," Vladimir Putin finally said.

Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine by claiming to want to defend the Russian-speaking populations there oppressed by a "Nazi" power and to demilitarize the country.