Putin urged to “correct mistakes” in mobilization for Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for “mistakes to be corrected” in Russia’s ongoing mobilization for an offensive in Ukraine, as discontent grows over the often erratic summons of force.

• Also Read: Between Washington and Moscow, the “red telephone” heats up again

• Also Read: The conflict in Ukraine is a result of the “collapse of the Soviet Union,” according to Putin

The media and Russians on social networks reported cases of mobilization of the elderly, students, sick or conscripts without military experience. Mobilization also prompted demonstrations and thousands of men fled abroad.

“This equation raises many questions. We must correct all the mistakes and make sure they don’t happen again”, Mr. Putin was reprimanded.

The President mentioned the summoning of fathers of large families, persons suffering from serious illness or even the very old, all cases which should be exempted by law.

Putin emphasized that mistakes should be corrected and those summoned without good reason should be brought home.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has already acknowledged “mistakes” in the mobilization on Monday, worrying about 300,000 reservists with military experience or useful skills such as heavy truck drivers.

According to the specialized agency OVD-Info, more than 2,400 people have been arrested during demonstrations against mobilization in Russia since it was announced on September 21.

Many Russians also chose to flee the country to form long queues at the borders of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Finland. Air flights also ended in storms.