EXPLAINER
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree indicating that 300,000 reservists were called up to fight in Ukraine.
Russian President Putin ordered partial mobilization after Moscow’s troops suffered losses in Ukraine.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Putin warned the pro-Ukrainian Western nations that Moscow would defend itself with the force of all its vast arsenals if faced with a nuclear threat. from the West.
The blunt warning from the Russian leader marks the biggest escalation of the war since Moscow’s 24 February invasion of Ukraine has begun and is accompanied by a decision to call an additional 300,000 pre-bookers.
Here’s what we know:
What did President Vladimir Putin say?
- On September 21, President Vladimir Putin order from Russia mobilized for the first time since World War II in a pre-recorded speech on early morning television, saying more manpower was needed to win the war against Ukraine and its supporters. The West.
- “In order to protect the Fatherland, sovereignty, territorial integrity and ensure the safety of the liberated troops and people, I consider it necessary to support the proposal of the Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff to conduct local mobilization in the Union. Russian state, “Putin speak.
- “We are talking about partial mobilization. That is, only citizens who are in reserve and, above all, those who have served in the armed forces with relevant military skills and experience. Only they are subject to the bondage,” he added.
- “Conscription soldiers will be required to undergo additional military training based on the experience of special military operations before departing for the units,” Putin said. According to a translation by the AP news agency.
- Putin’s speech came later seven months of fighting and following recent battlefield losses to Moscow’s forces.
- It also comes a day after Russian-controlled areas in eastern and southern Ukraine Announcement of voting plan becoming an integral part of Russia – a move that could set the stage for Moscow to escalate the war after Ukraine’s successes.
What does partial mobilization mean?
- President Putin said the mandatory order would begin on Wednesday, but did not provide many details.
- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said he expected 300,000 to be summoned out of the country’s roughly 25 million population of massive reserves.
- Only those with relevant combat and service experience will be called up. Shoigu says that about 25 million people fit this brief, but only about 1% will be drafted.
- “In general, a full mobilization would mean that any man of military age, between 18 and 60 years old, cannot leave Russia and needs to join the army. It is unclear whether this partial mobilization is meant to be,” said Gabriel Elizondo of Al Jazeera, reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine.
- The Ministry of Defense said the move was likely intended to limit the number of deserters and was designed to relieve immediate pressure on the military.
- Arme Petimezas, senior analyst at AFS group, told Reuters news agency: “For Russia, this is not yet an all-out war because there is no total mobilization. But I think Putin is underrated. He escalated each time. For him, it was life and death. I don’t see why his next move would de-escalate unless he wins.”
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The Russian military and civilian leadership has faced considerable pressure over the past two weeks. These new measures were most likely introduced due to public criticism and mark a further development in Russia’s strategy.
– Ministry of Defense 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) September 21, 2022
Why does Ukraine say?
- Ukrainian officials have mocked Russia’s latest steps toward military merger and mobilization, saying Moscow is behaving desperately in the face of defeat on the battlefield.
- An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mykhaylo Podolyak, mocked Moscow’s latest moves in a Twitter post.
- “Everything is going according to plan, right? Life has a great sense of humour,” he wrote.
- “The 210th day of the ‘three-day war’. The Russians who demanded the destruction of Ukraine eventually received: 1. Mobilization 2. Border closures, bank accounts blocked, 3. Prison for desertion,” said Mr. Podolyak.
Day 210 of the “three-day war”. The Russians who requested the destruction of 🇺🇦 finally received:
1. Mobilization.
2. Close borders, block bank accounts.
3. Prison for desertion.Everything still goes according to plan, right? Life has a great sense of humour.
– айло одоляк (@Podolyak_M) September 21, 2022
What are the immediate economic effects?
- The euro fell to a two-week low against the dollar, European stock markets slid and investors flocked to safe-haven bonds, pushing down yields on German and US government debt.
- Investors seek the safety of US Treasuries and the Japanese Yen.
- British and Dutch gas prices rose amid fears of a new impact on global energy and financial markets.
- The Russian ruble fell to its lowest level in more than two months, towards 63 against the dollar.
- “The initial effects are clear: it is a potentially negative escalation for the eurozone outlook, and so it is not surprising that the euro weakens. Colin Asher, senior economist at Mizuho Corporate Bank, told Reuters.
- “It’s interesting to me that the dollar/yen fell on the news of the announcement, potentially indicating a return to the yen’s safe-haven, which has been absent for years.”
