Putin Announces Partial Military Mobilization, Talks of “Nuclear Blackmail”

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In this image made from a video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)
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Russian President Vladimir Putin is announcing what’s described as a “partial military mobilization” as thousands of Russian troops in Ukraine are being forced to retreat. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre rejected Putin’s claims that Russia is somehow being threatened.

“Russia talks about being threatened and the only country that’s being threatened is Ukraine. The only country that has been invaded is Ukraine,” Jean-Pierre said.

Putin’s prerecorded televised announcement would appear to put Russians and the economy on a wartime footing. Putin said mobilization events would begin today but didn’t give any details beyond saying he’s ordered an increase in funding to produce more weapons.

Putin accused the west of using “nuclear blackmail” against Russia and said he is calling up 300,000 army reservists to fight in the war in Ukraine, which is now in its eleventh month.

“Those who tried to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the prevailing winds can also blow in their direction,” Putin said in the announcement.


Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.

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