Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered 300,000 Russian reservists to active duty and shared threats of nuclear weapons in an escalation of his invasion of Ukraine.
Putin made the comments during a television address to his nation on Wednesday.
So begins the move we all saw coming.
Reuters: Putin escalates Ukraine war, issues nuclear threat to West.https://t.co/0ethMNi6Am
— Katrina Jørgensen (@Veribatim) September 21, 2022
The remarks
“If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will without doubt use all available means to protect Russia and our people – this is not a bluff,” Putin said.
“In its aggressive anti-Russian policy, the West has crossed every line,” Putin added. “This is not a bluff. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them.”
“President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered Russia’s first mobilisation since World War Two and backed a plan to annex swathes of Ukraine, warning the West he was not bluffing when he said he’d be ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia.” https://t.co/DT9KIkxX7Q
— Bhavika (@bhavi_kap) September 21, 2022
The response
Nearly 1,400 people in 38 cities across Russia were arrested in protests over the new announcement.
🔴 Nearly 1,400 people in 38 Russian cities have been detained for protesting against Vladimir Putin’s decision to order wartime mobilisation, independent protest monitoring group OVD-Info have said.
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— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 22, 2022
“Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said any weapons in Moscow’s arsenal, including strategic nuclear weapons, could be used to defend territories joined to Russia from Ukraine,” the Telegraph reported.
“Mr Medvedev, who also serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said that referendums planned by Russian-installed and separatist authorities in large swathes of Ukrainian territory will take place, and ‘there is no going back,” it added.
The concerns have not stopped Western nations from continuing their support of Ukraine. Instead, the announcement has led to resistance by Russians.
In addition, reports of many Russians seeking to flee the country have now come as more seek to escape leadership under Putin’s harsh actions.