大象传媒

President Putin has announced a partial military mobilisation in Russia. In a televised address to the nation, he said it was necessary to ensure territorial integrity, a day after Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine announced votes on joining Russia.

Mr Putin said the West wanted the end of his country just as it had brought down the Soviet Union. His defence minister later said 300,000 additional personnel will now be available.

As the address was underway, 大象传媒 Newsday got immediate reaction from a member of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, Yevgeny Popov:

"It's going to be a mobilisation of some experienced soldiers who are in the army right now or who left the army months ago... a partial mobilisation, that's important. The message Putin is sending is... we are going to stand here and support referendums."

(Pic: President Putin making televised addresses to Russia announcing partial mobilisation; Credit: Reuters)