TheCable

Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, has ordered troop mobilisation for Ukraine, warning that Russia will strike back with full force should the West continue its “nuclear blackmail”.

Putin delivered the warning in a broadcast to the nation on Wednesday morning, and announced the calling up of 300,000 extra reservists.

He said senior government figures in some leading NATO nations have discussed the possibility of using nuclear weapons against Russia.

“If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will without doubt use all available means to protect Russia and our people – this is not a bluff,” he said.

“In its aggressive anti-Russian policy, the West has crossed every line. Those who are trying to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the wind can change in their direction.”

The threat comes a day after regions of southern and eastern Ukraine under Kremlin control declared they would hold votes this week on formally joining Russia.

In the broadcast, Putin also endorsed plans for Russia to annex seized territories in southern and eastern Ukraine, threatening nuclear retaliation if Kyiv continued its efforts to recapture that land.

Anyone who has served in Russia as a professional soldier rather than as a conscript will be affected by Putin’s partial mobilisation decree starting immediately.

Those called up for military service will also undergo additional military training.

The invasion of Ukraine started on February 24, 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale attack from multiple directions on the country after several weeks of building up troops on the country’s border.

Putin had said his goal was to “demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine” and to protect people subjected to what he called eight years of bullying and genocide by Ukraine’s government.