‘War is the realm of uncertainty’, said the Prussian military analyst Carl von Clausewitz, and this would seem to apply very well to affairs in Russia at the moment. Following September’s shock ‘partial mobilisation’, rumours have swirled around since of another mass-mobilisation due imminently. Having got Russian New Year (the country’s main December celebration) out of the way, there were fears that Putin might announce the conscription of several hundred thousand more men.
This assumption was based on several factors, not least Putin’s original refusal to limit the mobilisation and the predictions of Ukrainian intelligence – who said 5 January was earmarked for a second wave. A public demand, recently issued by a supposed local ‘GONGO’ (an Orwellian ‘government-organised non-governmental organisation’), also rang alarm bells. Called ‘Soldiers’ Widows of Russia’, the group has demanded a ‘large-scale mobilisation corresponding to the situation that has developed on our borders.’
So shameless is the campaign – so oblivious to horrendous Russian losses on the battlefield – that some believe them the product of Ukrainian psy-ops
Yet 5 January has now come and gone and instead – quite the reverse – Putin called for a now-broken
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in