Dr. Elena Pokalova | Many Russians have not had to send their children, husbands, or relatives to fight in Ukraine, and as a result, they continue to tacitly support Putin’s “special operation.”
On September 21, 2022, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin declared partial mobilization calling up 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine. While the move seems menacing, this is not all bad news for Ukraine.
First of all, immediate issues with training, morale, and logistics in the face of approaching winter might mean that the new force would not be ready for the battlefield quickly.
But more importantly, partial mobilization means that the war in Ukraine will finally reach the broader Russian population. And this has explosive potential.
Read more of Dr. Elena Pokalova's commentary on The Defense Post here.