As Ukraine war drags on, Putin warns West ‘there are a lot of weapons … not bluff’ | World News

In a rare national address, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that a decree for the partial mobilization of the Ukrainian army has been signed as the war in Ukraine continues for nearly seven months. The decision will be seen by the West as an escalation.

Putin said the move was necessary because Russia was obliged to take urgent decisions to protect the people on “liberated lands”.

Putin’s national address came a day after the Russian-controlled eastern and southern regions of Ukraine announced plans to hold a referendum on whether to become part of Russia.

Referendums, expected to take place in the months since the war began, will begin on Friday in Luhansk, Kherson and parts of the Russian-held Zaporozhye and Donetsk regions.

Putin said he had signed a decree on partial mobilization, which will begin on Wednesday.

Putin stressed: “We are talking about partial mobilization, that is, only citizens who are currently in the reserve will be conscripted, and most importantly, those who serve in the military have a certain military expertise and relevant experience.”