Moscow: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has announced “partial mobilisation” in Russia “to defend the motherland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the security of our people”.
He says this concerns “only citizens in the military reserve, those who’ve served in the army”, the BBC reported.
He also issued a threat (to the West) : “If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, to defend Russia and our people, we will use all means we have. This is not a bluff.
“The territorial integrity of our motherland, our independance and freedom will be secured, I repeat with all the means we have.
“Those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the prevailing winds can turn in their direction.”
Putin’s outburst came amid a discussion on the Ukraine situation in the UN General Assembly.
