"Putin Issues Military Mobilization Order Over 'Western Nuclear Threat'... 300,000 Reservists Called Up (Comprehensive Report 2)"

Russian President Vladimir Putin [Photo by AP]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunwoo Lee and Hyunjin Jung] Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on the 21st (local time) that he would issue a partial military mobilization order. Despite the ongoing deterioration of the war situation, Russia, which had not issued a wartime mobilization order, is expected to enter a full-scale wartime system as it issues a partial mobilization order citing Western nuclear threats as the reason. The Russian Ministry of Defense has decided to call up 300,000 reservists.

According to Russian TASS news agency and others, President Putin said in a pre-recorded state TV broadcast on the day, "I have signed a partial military mobilization order, and mobilization will be implemented from today," emphasizing, "The West wants to destroy us, but we will achieve the liberation of the Donbas region as planned."

President Putin said, "I support the proposal from the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff to proceed with partial mobilization to protect Russia, its sovereignty, and (territorial) integrity." He stressed that this mobilization is partial, not full-scale, stating, "People in the reserve status will be called up, and those who have previously served in the military and have experience corresponding to specific specialties will be the targets."

President Putin emphasized that the background of this military mobilization order was the West's 'nuclear threat.' He said, "They have crossed all lines with their aggressive anti-Russian policy." Referring to statements by senior officials of NATO member countries that nuclear weapons could be used against Russia, he added, "If Russia's integrity is threatened, we will certainly use all available means to protect the Russian people."

President Vladimir Putin of Russia (left) and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Immediately after President Putin's announcement, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated in a press release that 300,000 reservists would be called up. He said that the total available reservist resources amount to 25 million, and that this mobilization involves using just over 1% of that force. He added that there are currently no plans to deploy additional conscripted troops. Minister Shoigu emphasized that the targets are those with prior military service experience, saying, "This is not about a student mobilization order. Students should calmly go to school."

Furthermore, Minister Shoigu explained, "At the beginning of the war, the Ukrainian army was estimated to be about 201,000 to 202,000 strong, of which 61,207 have died and 49,368 have been wounded, resulting in a loss of over 100,000 troops," meaning "half of their forces have been lost." Regarding Russian military losses, he stated, "5,937 have died," although the Associated Press reported that Western estimates put Russian casualties in the tens of thousands.

Until now, President Putin and the Russian government have referred to the Ukraine war as a ‘special military operation’ limited to the Donbas region and emphasized that a national general mobilization order would not be issued. However, as Ukraine’s counteroffensive, supported by Western weapons, intensifies and Russian forces begin to retreat from key occupied areas such as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, it is interpreted that a partial mobilization order has been issued for the time being.

President Putin also indicated his intention to forcibly hold referendums for annexation to Russia in the Russian-occupied areas, including the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. He emphasized, "Russia will support the decisions made by the residents of Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson provinces." In these regions, referendums for incorporation into Russia are scheduled to be held from the 23rd to the 27th of this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.