The Kremlin said that details of clause 7 in the decree on mobilizing Russia’s reserve forces are kept secret, only “internal circulation”.
President Vladimir Putin on September 21, 2022, signed a decree to mobilize a part of the domestic reserve force and emphasized the goal of “liberating the Donbas”.
“It is necessary to make decisions that include defending the country, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and ensuring the security of the people and inhabitants of the liberated areas,” Putin said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that article 7 of the decree on mobilizing reserve forces issued by President Vladimir Putin on September 21 is a clause that must be kept secret.
“Really, this is a secret clause, so I can’t make it public,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“The only thing I can say is that Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu mentioned the number of 300,000 troops mobilized. And, as Shoigu made clear, these troops will not be recruited at the same time,” Peskov stressed.
Correspondents at the press conference also questioned a comment Mr. Peskov made last week when he stated that a general mobilization of troops in the country was not on the agenda.
“At that time I was asked about the mobilization of the entire force and it is not on the agenda right now,” replied Dmitry Peskov.
In a speech broadcast live on national television, President Vladimir Putin said that he had signed a decree to mobilize part of the reserve force. The decree contains 10 articles, but article 7 has not been published.
According to the decree, mobilization measures in Russia will start on September 21. President Putin noted that only reserve soldiers must join the army, these are people who have relevant experience and military capabilities.
He also said that citizens who register to enlist during the general mobilization period will receive the guarantees of contract soldiers.
“It’s not people who have never heard of the military. It’s people who have completed their military service first, and have military expertise and experience in the military.” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated.
Shoigu emphasized that Russia possesses a large mobilization capacity, able to summon nearly 25 million people with some military experience, so the current mobilization decision is only mobilizing more than 1% of the force reserve.
Russian officials asserted that the partial mobilization of forces is reasonable and necessary to strengthen the front line in Ukraine, which now extends more than 1,000km.
According to Shoigu, Russia is dealing not only with Ukraine but also with the West.
“We are fighting the West in Ukraine. Nearly all of NATO’s satellites are working against Russia in Ukraine. The West does not want peace between Russia and Ukraine. They have crossed all limits when they are against Russia.”, Mr. Shoigu said.
Ukraine and the West criticized Russia’s move, calling it a “bad, wrong step” and a “disturbing escalation”.
The Baltic states say they do not accept or grant asylum, while the Czech Republic insists it does not issue humanitarian visas to Russians who want to avoid the mobilization order.
Germany announced that it is ready to accept Russian deserters, amid reports that many people want to avoid the order to mobilize.
Finnish officials say the number of Russians entering through the eastern border of the country has increased, but the situation is still under control. Russia has not yet commented on this information.
