President Vladimir Putin has announced a partial military mobilisation of his nation’s armed forces

In a televised address, President Vladimir Putin has called on Russia’s armed reserves and forces to join the war in Ukraine.

Mr Putin described the decision as a “necessary” step to “protect our homeland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

The president said a decree on partial mobilisation has already been signed, and preparations are underway.

The decision follows Russian lawmakers approving a suite of tough measures as the war in Ukraine ticks over six months of conflict.

Mr Putin said citizens who are in the nation’s reserves and have previously served in the armed forces are subject to the orders.

The Russian leader maintains the war is a special military operation, which is designed to de-Nazify Ukraine.

But NATO allies, the United Nations and humanitarian groups have called out Moscow for alleged war crimes.

The war has claimed the lives of over 10,000 people. Mass grave sites have also been discovered with over 400 Ukrainians buried in the Izium region.

What does this mean?

• Mr Putin said people who are living in the occupied regions do not want to be under the “yoke of neo-Nazis”.
• He said Kyiv is refusing a peaceful solution to the crisis.
• The Russian leader added Ukraine has nuclear weapons and his nation is acting in response to these claims.
• Moscow is planning to hold so-called referendums in the occupied parts of Ukraine later this week.

Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Mr Putin may be seeking an end to the war, and that a “significant step” will be made in the coming days.

The Turkish leader believes things are “quite problematic” for Russia at the moment, and he has gained the impression Moscow wants a speedy end to the war.

How has the west responded?

The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink has described the upcoming referenda as a “sham”.

Ms Brink said the U.S. will never recognise Russia’s annexed regions in Ukraine, and will continue to stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes.