Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of the Russian Federation on Wednesday and threatened to unleash nuclear weapons against the West, setting the stage for a possible escalation of its aggression in Ukraine.
A partial mobilization would allow the Russian military to conscript more troops to battle Ukraine, and it may force Russian businesses and citizens to contribute more to the war effort. Putin said “mobilization events” would begin Wednesday.
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“I consider it necessary to support the proposal of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff to conduct partial mobilization in the Russian Federation,” Putin said on Wednesday, according to state media, adding that he has already signed the decree. “We are talking about partial mobilization, that is, only citizens who are currently in the reserve will be subject to conscription, and above all, those who served in the armed forces who have a certain military specialty and relevant experience.”
Putin also issued a new threat to Western countries offering help to Ukraine amid the invasion, warning against “nuclear blackmail” by reminding other world leaders that “our country also has various means of destruction.”
“For separate components and more modern than those of NATO countries and when the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, to protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal,” Putin said. “It’s not a bluff.”
The Kremlin leader’s warning comes as he accused Western countries of plotting to destroy Russia with nuclear weapons of their own, particularly criticizing the United States and the European Union for pushing Ukraine to expand its military operations into Russia, according to Reuters.
Putin made the announcement during a prerecorded televised address, in which he lobbed numerous accusations against Western nations that have backed Ukraine against Russia’s invading forces.
During the address, Putin claimed the West “wants to destroy” Russia and that it is turning Ukrainians “into cannon fodder.” He also accused the West of “nuclear blackmail” and said that NATO states have discussed “the possibility of using nuclear weapons of mass destruction against Russia.”
“To those who allow themselves such statements regarding Russia, I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction,” Putin said, adding that Russia “will certainly use all the means at our disposal.”
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Putin’s latest threats and his partial mobilization announcement come as Russia has been dealt heavy losses in Ukraine as a result of a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in the north.
On Tuesday, Russian-occupied regions in eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans to hold referendums on annexation, another maneuver that the Kremlin could use to justify a military escalation in the region.
