Putin Moves to Bolster Military Amid Ukrainian Counteroffensive
AllSides Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday a "partial mobilization" in Russia, which will require thousands of citizens to fight in the invasion of Ukraine.
The mobilization means that reservists will be called up, and others with prior military experience will be subject to conscription. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday that the country will call up 300,000 reservists. Putin said the move was "fully adequate to the threats we face, namely to protect our homeland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity." He added that "When its territorial integrity is threatened, Russia will use everything it can, this is not a bluff."
After months of losing ground, Ukraine has mounted a successful counteroffensive in recent weeks, regaining thousands of square miles of Russian-controlled territory in northeastern Ukraine. Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine will hold votes this week to seek annexation by Russia, a move that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed. "The situation on the front line clearly indicates that the initiative belongs to Ukraine," he said.
Putin's announcement was the top story from news sources across the political spectrum, which tended to cover it similarly regardless of their bias rating.
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From the Left
Russia announces immediate 'partial mobilization' of citizens, escalating its invasion of Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the immediate "partial mobilization" of Russian citizens, a move that threatens to escalate his faltering invasion of Ukraine following a string of defeats that caused recriminations in Moscow.
Putin said in a speech Wednesday that he would use "all the means at our disposal," and threatened the use of nuclear weapons, if he deemed the "territorial integrity" of Russia to be jeopardized.
The mobilization means citizens who are in the reserve could be called up, and those with military experience would be subject to conscription, Putin said, adding...
From the Center
Putin announces partial mobilization
In a video address on Sept. 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a partial mobilization. It will primarily target the Russian Armed Forces' reserve personnel. "Mobilization measures will begin today," Putin said.
In his speech, Putin once again called Kyiv "fascist," said it was Ukraine that invaded Russia in 2014, and hinted that Moscow would annex Russian-occupied territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Putin once again saber rattled, adding that using nuclear arms remains an option for the Kremlin.
"When its territorial integrity is threatened, Russia will use...
From the Right
Putin initiates conscription to bolster military invasion as Ukraine mounts counteroffensive
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization in Russia, which will require citizens to join the war effort in Ukraine. He also warned Western nations not to attack Russia's territories, which would be met with swift retaliation.
Putin’s address on Wednesday comes as Russia’s invasion reaches nearly seven months and amid a successful counter-offensive by Ukraine’s military.
Conscription is "fully adequate to the threats we face, namely to protect our homeland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to ensure the security of our people and people in the liberated territories," he said.
"We...
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