Russia launched mobilization: They revealed how many volunteers signed up on the first day – Novy Chas

The Russian army said on Thursday that at least 10,000 reservists volunteered to fight in Ukraine during the first day after the announcement of partial mobilization. TASR took over the report from AFP and Sky News. The head of the section of the general staff of the Russian army for mobilization, Vladimir Cimlianskij, told the Interfax agency that around 10,000 Russian citizens showed up to the conscription centers of their own free will before the call-up order was delivered to them. He added that the army has set up a call center that individuals and organizations can contact with questions about mobilization. The Russian Ministry of Defense has not released official footage of the draft, nor has it indicated how many citizens have already been sent draft orders. However, a number of amateur videos appeared on social networks from various parts of Russia – including the Siberian city of Yakutsk, Khabarovsk Region and Chechnya – allegedly capturing military drafts on the basis of the announced mobilization. However, these videos could not be independently verified by AFP. In addition, according to the DPA agency, Cimlianskij said that Russia called up 120,000 new conscripts to the army as part of the regular autumn drafts. However, according to him, they will not be involved in the “special military operation in Ukraine”. Their number is lower than last fall, but it “fully covers” current needs, he added. Compulsory military service in Russia lasts one year, with regular conscripts taking place twice a year. Cimliansky assured that the conscripts whose military service ends these days will be able to return home. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial military mobilization on Wednesday. Defense Minister Sergej Shoigu subsequently said that roughly 300,000 reservists could be called up. However, it is not yet clear what the actual extent of the mobilization will be. During Wednesday’s anti-mobilization protests, more than 1,300 people were detained in 38 Russian cities, according to the independent association OVD-Info, which monitors anti-government protests in Russia.