The Russian leader added that he is “not bluffing.”
QUICK FACTS:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin caused distress among many during a recent speech when he warned that he would meet violence against his country in kind.
- Putin vowed to use “all means” necessary to defend the region, saying, “If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will use all available means to protect Russia and our people – this is not a bluff… I shall stress – by all means available to us.”
- The Russian president went on to say that “Those trying to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the tables can turn on them.”
- Putin also announced the mobilization of 300,000 reservists, which is the first Russian reserve mobilization of its kind since WWII.
- Ukraine responded to the announcement by dismissing the threat, saying it was “predictable” and serves as proof the war is not going as Putin had planned.
RESPONSE TO PUTIN’S ANNOUNCEMENT:
- Concerns about a worst-case scenario pulsed through Western media, The Associated Press reporting that Putin’s actions have sparked outrage among his own people.
- Protesters are reportedly pushing back: “Thousands of Russian men — our fathers, brothers and husbands — will be thrown into the meat grinder of the war. What will they be dying for? What will mothers and children be crying for?” said the Vesna opposition movement.
- Russia Today reported on the announcement of Russian troop deployment, citing Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, who reportedly stressed this would only apply to those who have already served in the military.
- The defense minister also claimed that at peak capacity, the Russian military could summon almost 25 million people with at least some military experience: “So one could say that this partial mobilization is just 1%, or a bit more” of the total number of people that could be mobilized, he added.
BACKGROUND:
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February of this year and, according to the massive nation, is their movement on behalf of regions that wish to join their country.
- Just days ago, Russian media announced that a second Donbas republic wants to vote to unite with Russia, following the lead of the Lugansk region.
