THE SQUIZ
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the mobilisation of up to 300,000 military reservists – the first since WWII – after Ukraine regained control of large areas of Russian-occupied territory. It means Russians who’ve completed mandatory military service could be called into active duty. He also claims he’s willing to use nuclear weapons if need be, saying the West is engaging in “nuclear blackmail”. Putin says the moves are necessary to ensure Russia’s territorial integrity, but many experts say it shows he is under pressure. Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded during a video address to the United Nations General Assembly, calling for Russia to face “just punishment” over the invasion. That includes further financial penalties and stripping Moscow of its veto power on the Security Council.

HOW HAVE RUSSIANS REACTED?
Fear and panic was the response from many… Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu tried to smooth it over by saying the call-up would be limited to men with combat experience. And to put it into context, he said Russia has 25 million potential fighters at its disposal and that 6,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the start of the invasion… Jangled nerves weren’t soothed by that, nor the lower house of the national parliament voting to toughen laws against desertion and surrender by Russian troops, punishable by up to 10 years in jail. Many are looking for a way out with one-way flights leaving Russia selling out at sky-high prices, and reports this morning say Russian men have been fleeing across the border to countries including Georgia and Finland. Meanwhile, protests have erupted across the country, and strict anti-protest laws have been used to arrest more than 1,300 people.

WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE WORLD?
Well, it’s a significant escalation from Russia, and Western powers aren’t pleased about it… NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the mass mobilisation of troops “dangerous and reckless”, and US officials said Putin’s threat to use nuclear weapons should be taken “seriously”. Many are sceptical, including the UK’s Ministry of Defence, which doubts whether Russia can mobilise that many people as other experts say Putin’s nuclear threats are nothing new. Nonetheless, Ukraine wants to see action against Russia and has asked for more weapons, including from Australia – a request Foreign Minister Penny Wong says is being considered. “We are in contact with our Ukrainian colleagues. We understand the extraordinarily difficult circumstances they face, the war in which they have been forced to engage,” she said yesterday.