Putin: ‘no need at present’ for a second wave of mobilization

Russian President Vladimir Putin denies that authorities will launch a second wave of mobilization in Russia in the near future. He made an announcement to that effect during a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Human Rights.

“Discussions of additional mobilization measures simply don’t make sense, the state and the Ministry of Defense have no need for that at present,” Putin said.

The Russian president noted that not all of those who were called up in the first wave have yet been sent to the front. According to Putin, of 300,000 who have been mobilized, only half are located in the “special military operation [SVO]” zone.

However, Putin did express the opinion that “the SVO could be a lengthy process.”

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• Russian authorities have insisted since the beginning of November that mobilization is complete. However, the Kremlin has ignored requests that Putin issue a decree formally ending mobilization. Authorities say the document is unnecessary. Independent legal experts emphasize that this is not true, and until there is a presidential decree ending mobilization, the draft could resume at any moment.
• Despite the fact that the mass mobilization campaign ended in November, reports emerge regularly from various regions of Russia that military enlistment offices continue to send out summonses and to take people to war.