While most attention has focused on Vladimir Putin’s repetition of nuclear threats in his speech this morning, the takeaway in Ukraine is different: conscription has begun. This is deeply controversial in Russia given the war’s high mortality rate, but after the rout in the Kharkiv region Putin is running out of options. After his speech, given at 9 a.m. Moscow time, Russia’s minister of defence Sergei Shoigu announced that 300,000 reservists will be called up. ‘We are now at war not just with Ukraine but with the collective West too’, he said.
Putin had referred to this in his speech. ‘The decree on partial mobilisation has been signed. Mobilisation activities will begin today, September 21.’ he said. ‘Citizens who are currently in reserve, especially those who have served in the army, will be subject to conscription.’ About 300,000 are understood to be in this category. Military service contracts will be valid until the end of ‘partial mobilisation’.
Estimates on Russian fatalities so far vary: Ukraine says 55,000 but in his speech this morning Shoigu put it at 5,937.
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