'West has crossed the line...' Vladimir Putin goes ballistic over Ukraine
"If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we use all available means to protect our people -- this is not a bluff," the Russian president said.
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FollowJust a day after Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine vouched for holding referendums on whether they want to become parts of Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree on the partial mobilisation of its two million-strong military reserves.
It should be noted that the Putin administration launched the 'special military operation' against Kyiv seven months ago in February this year. The Russian President reasoned that the decision to launch the offensive was taken 'to defend the motherland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity'.
In his televised address, Putin accused the West of pushing Kyiv to transfer hostilities to Russia.
"Only citizens who are currently in reserve and, above all, those who served in the Armed Forces, have certain military specialities and relevant experience, will be subject to conscription," Putin said in a televised speech.
He also warned the West of dire consequences as the 'West is calling to weaken, divide and destroy Russia. West has crossed the line.' "If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we use all available means to protect our people -- this is not a bluff," the Russian president said.
On the referendums in eastern and Southern Ukraine, the Russian premier added that his aim was to 'liberate' east Ukraine's Donbas region and that most people in the regions under Russian control did not want to be ruled by Kyiv. Moments after Putin's address to the nation, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that his country is at war with the 'collective West'.
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Shoigu said: "We are at war not so much with Ukraine as with the collective West. Because the weapons that Ukraine had, they have actually run out -- they are former Soviet weapons."
A referendum will be conducted from September 23-27.
Casualties in Russian-Ukrainian war
Shoigu further claimed that Russia had suffered a total of 5,937 casualties since March this year. It is for the first time that Moscow has officially come up with the figure.
He also added that Kyiv had lost half of its army strength, and casualties counted at over one lakh, including 61,207 dead and 49,368 injured.
The Russian minister further said that over 2000 mercenaries had been killed and over 1000 are still operating in Ukraine.
Also Read: MI6 chief's bold Ukraine war assessment: Russia running 'out of steam'
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