Russian President Vladimir Putin announced, according to the Russian news agency "TASS," a partial mobilization of the Russian army. He indicated, "I have made the decision for a preemptive strike aimed at liberating territories in Donbas." He emphasized, "We are talking about defending our territories and Russia; the West wants to destroy our country," asserting that "Kyiv is using mercenaries and other volunteers under NATO leadership," and confirmed that "the West does not want peace between Russia and Ukraine." He also disclosed, "I have asked the Russian government to grant legal status to volunteers fighting in Donbas," announcing that "the parliament in Donbas has decided to conduct a referendum and requested our support to determine the people's fate, and we support this decision." Putin stressed that "most people in the historical regions of Ukraine do not want to live under the rule of neo-Nazis," clarifying, "We will use all available means and capabilities to preserve our territories and sovereignty."
The Kremlin's website published today, Wednesday, the decree regarding the partial military mobilization in the country, announced by President Putin earlier in the day. According to the text published by the Kremlin regarding the partial mobilization, it is stated that:
- According to federal laws issued on May 31, 1996 "Concerning Defense," and on February 26, 1997 "Concerning Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization in the Russian Federation," and laws dated March 28, 1998 regarding "Military Duty and Military Service," it was decided:
- To declare a partial mobilization in the Russian Federation starting from September 21, 2022.
- To call upon citizens of the Russian Federation for military service through mobilization into the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Citizens of the Russian Federation called to military service through mobilization will hold the status of military contractors serving in the Russian armed forces.
- It is confirmed that the wage level for citizens of the Russian Federation called to military service via mobilization in the Russian armed forces corresponds to the wage levels of military contractors working in the Russian armed forces.
- The contracts for military service entered into by military personnel will remain in effect until the end of the partial mobilization period, except in cases of discharge based on the grounds specified in this decree.
- The grounds for exemption from military service during the partial mobilization period will be determined for soldiers performing military service under contract, as well as for citizens of the Russian Federation who are called to military service through mobilization in the armed forces of the Russian Federation: based on age, if they exceed the maximum age for military service; based on health status, if recognized by a military medical commission as unfit for military service, except for those who wished to continue military service; concerning the enforcement of a court ruling imposing a prison sentence.
- The Russian government is to finance partial mobilization activities and take necessary measures to meet the needs of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and other military units and formations during the partial mobilization period.
- Senior officials in the federal entities of Russia must ensure the recruitment of citizens for military service for mobilization in the armed forces of the Russian Federation in the required numbers and timelines set by the Russian Ministry of Defense for each constituent entity of the Russian Federation.
- Citizens of the Russian Federation working in military-industrial complexes are granted the right to defer military service for mobilization (during their employment in these institutions), and the Russian government determines the categories of citizens eligible for deferment and the procedures for granting it.
- This decree enters into force as of the date of its official publication.
Britain: British Foreign Secretary Gillian Keegan stated that President Putin's speech announcing the partial military mobilization represents a worrying escalation. Keegan mentioned in an interview with British Sky News, "The threats made by Putin must be taken seriously." Earlier today, Putin announced the commencement of the partial military mobilization in Russia, which is set to take effect today. In a speech to the Russian people, Putin stated that "Russian citizens called for service will receive special status and military privileges."
