Vladimir Putin's Military Mobilization Speech
Putin's controversial speech came after Russia encountered disgracing defeat from the Ukraine army. Ukrainian warriors have seen success in the past weeks against Russian forces. Ukraine has recovered a large portion of its territory from Russian occupied region. Reports have it that the Russian army was running in haste away from the occupied region, however, hundreds of civilian mass graves were discovered by the Ukrainian forces.
Russian president seems not to accept any defeat in Ukraine, in his speech, he says that the West and NATO are planning nuclear threats against Russia and promise to use a nuclear weapon if the country receives any nuclear threat from NATO. Putin also added that he has given the order for the mobilization of Russian reservists into joining the war in Ukraine.
"We are talking about partial mobilization, that is, only citizens who are currently in the reserve will be subject to constriction, and above all, those who served in the armed forces have a certain military specialty and relevant experience," Putin said in his press release.
Russian Defense Ministry through its minister, Sergei Shoigu, puts the number of reservists to be mobilized to Ukraine at 300,000 and above.
Protest Across Russia Over Ukraine War and the Mobilization
In the meantime, Putin's Mobilization speech has stirred protest and outrage across Russia and around the world. Many Russians have fled the country to avoid getting mobilized into the army. Early this week, Russian flight ticket sales skyrocketed in a record-breaking manner. The government later restricted citizens from leaving the country which results in protests and rallies across Russia.
Many Russians have taken to the street to protest against the war in Ukraine and the mobilization step by president Vladimir Putin. Russia's defense ministry said that the purpose of the mobilization is "to control the already liberated territories".
Protesters in St Petersburg were heard chanting against the war. AFP reports some of the protesters like Oksana Sidorenko saying, "I came to say that I am against war and mobilization. Why are they deciding the future for me? I am scared for myself and my brother".
Another protester, Fedorov said, "Everyone is scared. I am for peace and I don't want to have shot. But coming out now is very dangerous, otherwise, there would be many more people", AFP reports.
The protest takes place amidst Russian harsh laws against protests, rallies, and outrage in the country. The protesters are taking risks to go out against the mobilization. So far, Russia has arrested more than 1000 anti-war protesters across the country.
Global Outrage Over Ukraine War, Putin's Mobilization and Nuclear Threats
Russia's decision to mobilize and nuclear threats had caused global outrage beyond Russia. This is because the speech came after pro-Russia separatists in the Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine announced their plans to organize a referendum to decide either to stay in Russia or Ukraine.
World leaders who are currently meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York have condemned Russia's nuclear threat. The US president, Joe Biden, in his speech condemned the war and gave a strict warning against any Russian attempt to employ nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war.
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