Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues with Putin’s nuclear threat, ‘partial’ army mobilisation

Vladimir Putin said Russia was “doing everything right” in its invasion of Ukraine despite facing defeats that have triggered a nuclear bomb warning.

Vladimir Putin said Russia was “doing everything right” in its invasion of Ukraine despite embarrassing defeats against Kyiv’s forces, who will receive $A1.16 billion in new US military assistance.

Mr Putin’s comments came hours after Kremlin-installed officials in the southern Kherson region urged residents to leave as Kyiv said its soldiers were advancing on the city.

“What is happening today is not pleasant. But all the same, (if Russia hadn’t attacked in February) we would have been in the same situation, only the conditions would have been worse for us,” he told reporters after a summit in the capital of Kazakhstan.

“So we’re doing everything right,” he said.

He did, however, acknowledge that Russia’s ex-Soviet allies were “worried”, but he believed his “partial mobilisation” of army reservists would be completed in two weeks.

A total of 222,000 reservists would be called up, down from the 300,000 figure originally announced.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during a press conference. Picture: AFP

Mr Putin said there was no need for further massive strikes against Ukraine and called for humanitarian corridors for Ukrainian grain to be closed if they are used for “acts of terror”.

“There is no need now for massive strikes. There are other tasks. For now,” he said.

He added there was “no need” for talks with the US President Joe Biden.

Russia recently unleashed a wave of missile strikes on cities across Ukraine that left at least 20 people dead.

Mr Putin said the strikes were in retaliation for the explosion on the Crimea bridge, which he has described as a “terrorist act”.

The bridge is a crucial transport link for moving military equipment to Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

A fire sparked by a car bomb that on a key bridge linking Crimea to Russia, near Kerch, on October 8, 2022.

Mr Putin has also moved 11 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons just a few kilometres from the country’s border with NATO member Norway, and Finland.

US satellite operator Planet Labs detected “an increased presence” of Russian Tu-160s and Tu-95 strategic bombers less than 32km from the Norwegian border.

A local resident clean debris next to a residential building destroyed by a missile strike in Konstantinovka in the eastern Donetsk region. Picture: AFP

Tu-160s, the largest and heaviest Mach 2 warplanes ever made, are capable of flying 12,070 kilometres non-stop without refuelling. They can carry up to 12 short-range nuclear missiles.

Russia’s Security Council also warned that Ukraine joining NATO would be the guaranteed trigger for a full-scale world war.

It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched a surprise bid for an accelerated membership to NATO.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talking to a wounded serviceman during his visit to a military hospital in Kyiv, as the country marks Defenders Day. Picture: AFP

“Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to a World War Three,” Alexander Venediktov, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council said.

“Apparently, that’s what they are counting on – to create informational noise and draw attention to themselves once again.”

His threat comes as the US offered more military assistance to Kyiv, including more ammunition for the Himars rocket systems that have been used by Ukraine to wreak havoc on Russian targets.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “We will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination.”

– with AFP

Originally published as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues with Putin’s nuclear threat, ‘partial’ army mobilisation