A Russian group has called on people to protest the partial mobilization announced by President Vladimir Putin to fight the war in Ukraine.
Vesna, an anti-war youth movement based in the Russian city of St Petersburg, urged Russians to protest in their town and city centers at 19:00 on Wednesday, Russian publication Meduza reported.
„Thousands of Russian men – our fathers, brothers and husbands – will be thrown into the war’s meat grinder. What are they going to die for? What will mothers and children cry for?” the appeal read.
⚡Нет могилизации! Места проведения акции в городах Дальнего Востока, Сибири и Урала. Выходим в 19:00 по местному времени. Распространяйте информацию
🟢 Барнаул: площадь Советов
🟢 Благовещенск: площадь Победы1/7 pic.twitter.com/YdCap65anT
— Движение «Весна» 💚 (@vesna_democrat) September 21, 2022
The Russian president announced a partial mobilization in Russia to fight in Ukraine which Russia invaded on Feb. 24.
In his address to Russians, he said he was doing so „to protect the homeland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, for the security of the people and people of the liberated territories.”
Only reservists will be recruited, Meduza said.
Putin’s speech included a threatening reference to Russia’s nuclear arsenal: “With a threat to the territorial integrity of our country, to protect Russia and our people, we of course will use all the means at our disposal, this is not a bluff,” he said.
His speech comes as Ukraine is on a counteroffensive and as Kremlin-backed officials press ahead with referendums that could result in Russia annexing occupied parts of Ukraine.
