Ukraine’s Biggest Nuclear Plant Needs a Safety Zone
WiredMAR 10 2023
In a televised meeting on Friday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Pres. Vladimir Putin that the country's "partial mobilization" drive of 300k reservists — announced on Sep. 21 following a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv — has been completed.
Shoigu told Putin: "The deployment of citizens called up for mobilization was completed today. The conscription of citizens has stopped." He added that the 300K figure was reached, with 218K currently receiving training and 82K already fighting in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, with the heaviest fighting continuing in Donetsk and Kherson, Ukraine reportedly launched a drone attack on Crimea in the early hours of Saturday. Crimean Gov. Mikhail Razvozhaev said ships from Russia's Black Sea fleet repelled the attack over the waters of Sevastopol and that there was no damage to the city or casualties.
Russia's hastily organized mobilization has triggered thousands to flee the country, while those unfortunate enough to be selected are sent to the frontlines as cannon fodder with insufficient training and equipment.
This is Russia's first mobilization of troops since World War II. Some logistical problems were inevitable, but the relevant conclusions have been drawn, and the issues have been rectified.