NATO chiefs condemn Russian annexation as mobilization stalls

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 03 Oct 2022 by Alex Teddy

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On October 2 the presidents of 9 Eastern European NATO nations issued a denunciatory statement regarding the Russian claim that four Ukrainian districts are now an integral part of Russia. They said that the referendums were illegal and null. They stated that they would never accept that these districts belong to Russia. On October 3 the Governor of Khabarovsk said 50% of those called up for mobilization have since been sent home because they were wrongly drafted. Khabarovsk is a Far Eastern region and not wealthy. The draft falls disproportionately on the poor, those from remote regions and ethnic minorities. Russia has not had such a wartime draft since 1945 even though Russia has not declared this to be a war. Putin has blamed regional governments for mistakes in drafting. Some senior draft officers have been dismissed for maladministration. Some ineligible men have been drafted. It is unclear who is exempt. Those with schizophrenia and fathers of disabled children should be exempt but were called up in Khabarovsk. There seems to be a rush to fill quotas, so draft officers are drafting anyone. Very often in Russia the rich have been able to bribe doctors to diagnose them as permanently unfit for military service even if they are in perfect health. Putin delayed the draft till after September local elections. He was patently reluctant to draft at all because he knew there would be a backlash. The difficulties with mobilization should not be exaggerated. The US said on October 1 that the first men drafted since September 21 have already reached the frontlines. Moreover, of the 25 million men aged 18-35 in Russia only 2% have either left the country or already been dra...