Russia: TV commentator admits mobilisation ‘won’t be easy’
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Vladimir Putin has ordered 300,000 additional reserve troops to report for military training in order to boost invading forces on the frontline in Ukraine. The decision has already sparked huge public backlash within Russia, as families, in fear of being torn apart by mandatory military call-ups, have headed for escape via accessible land borders. While Kremlin-controlled media has remained fiercely supportive of the special military operation, acting to provide a shield of misinformation on the Russian military performance, the mobilisation has marked a notable shift in the presenters’ attitude. Formerly unwilling to acknowledge any sign of Russian weakness in the conflict, the state media pundits have now warned citizens not to expect positive developments in the war over the coming weeks, despite the flood of mobilised reserve soldiers.
Speaking on state-controlled network Russia One, television host Vladimir Solovyov said: “In real life, I’d really like us to attack and take Kyiv tomorrow but I am aware that, for those 300,000 who are undergoing partial mobilisation, time is required for that.
“Time is required for their training, for their combat coordination, and for them to have everything they need for entering battle.
“This means that for a certain period of time, things won’t be easy for us.
“Right now, we shouldn’t be expecting good news. We need to possess ‘long will’ and strategic patience.”
His declaration comes just days after Solovyov bashed the “idiot” Kremlin generals in charge of the partial mobilisation logistics.
Again, speaking on Russia One, Solovyov said: “Every idiot in those positions, who decided to call up a musician, or a person who has a million illnesses, or to approach a student despite the special decree explaining exemptions – such a person should not simply be punished, he should be the first to be sent to the frontlines.”
His fiery speech came after reports emerged of individuals unfit or otherwise exempt from the military call-up received papers demanding they report for service.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has asserted the 300,000 men will be drawn from a select pool of well-trained men with prior military experience.
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In an unusual shift in Vladimir Putin’s leadership style, the Russian President has himself acknowledged a shortfall in the organisation of the partial mobilisation scheme.
During a video conference with members of the Security Council, President Putin said: “A lot of questions are being raised during this mobilisation campaign, and we must promptly correct our mistakes and not repeat them in the future.”
He added that there had been errors regarding some groups being pressured to report for mobilisation, including individuals with “chronic illnesses” or men already over the call-up age.
Vladimir Putin continued: “We need to deal with each case separately, and if a mistake has been made, I repeat, it must be corrected, and those who have been drafted without proper grounds must be sent home.”
The Ministry of Defence declared: “Putin’s unusually rapid acknowledgment of problems highlights the dysfunction of the mobilisation over its first week.
“Local officials are likely unclear on the exact scope and legal rationale of the campaign. They have almost certainly drafted some personnel who are outside the definitions claimed by Putin and the Ministry of Defence.”
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Solovyov’s doubt surrounding the partial mobilisation effort comes as the Russian military was forced to withdraw from the strategically important town of Lyman in Donetsk.
Some of the troops operating in Lyman were suggested to have been voluntarily mobilised units that suffered heavy casualties during the withdrawal, according to an intelligence report from the UK Government.
The retreat has sparked further criticism of the Russian military performance given that the Kremlin had announced plans to formally annex both the Donetsk and Luhansk areas of the Donbas region.
The decision to abandon Lyman undermines the Kremlin’s efforts to legitimise their claim to the region through a series of recently concluded pseudo-referendums.
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