![]() ![]() Klupov contradicted the promises made about the new recruits by Russia’s Defense Ministry and government officials, who vowed on state television that the newly mobilized soldiers would not be sent into combat zones, but instead be stationed in Ukrainian territories currently under Russia’s control. This only underscores the well-known shortage of troops Russia sent to Ukraine, since Putin initially anticipated-and his state media mouthpieces publicly predicted-a fast and easy invasion with minimal resistance. He also praised the idea of sending prisoners to fight in Ukraine, predicting that many of them would be reformed in the process, returning to Russia as model citizens. Klupov also had an explanation as to why Putin decided to mobilize specifically 300,000 people: “One of the reasons for this mobilization is that, subsequent to the Madrid Summit this summer, an announcement was made about the enlargement of NATO forces by 300,000 in the eastern part of Europe.” Instead, he claimed that NATO’s extensive involvement was to blame, baselessly alleging that “30 percent of the Ukrainian Army's personnel” is comprised of NATO officers. Klupov told Solovyov that Ukraine’s fierce resistance to the occupying force was not the real reason for the mobilization. ![]() The host immediately asked Klupov whether he was ready for the mobilization and he enthusiastically confirmed: “Yes, I took out my uniform and ironed it, got it all squared away, got my rapid deployment knapsack ready and bought two cans of Spam.” On Thursday, one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the partial mobilization, Colonel Rustem Klupov, a retired military intelligence agent, appeared on the show Full Contact, hosted by Russia’s top propagandist Vladimir Solovyov. However, cracks are forming just beneath the surface, since even the most enthusiastic pro-Kremlin cheerleaders are unwittingly revealing too much to the alarmed Russian population. ![]() Most state TV programs are promoting the idea that the mobilization is a necessary measure, unconvincingly claiming that it’s welcomed by the Russians at large. Hundreds have been detained in anti-mobilization protests across the country, including Dagestan and the Sakha Republic, which are among the regions that have been heavily targeted for mass recruitment. Russia’s recently announced “partial mobilization” of men for the Ukraine war brought turmoil to the home front, where everyday citizens were suddenly greeted by a conflict many perceived as another country’s problem. ![]()
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