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«Putin wants to drown Ukraine in the blood of its soldiers.» Zelensky's first comment on Russia's mobilization

The Insider

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky gave an interview to the German magazine Bild in which he first commented on the mobilization in Russia and spoke about the «referendums» that the Russian authorities are going to hold in four Ukrainian regions.

According to Zelensky, the mobilization announced by Putin, first of all, suggests Russia has problems with military personnel, in particular with officers.

«We already know they mobilized cadets, guys who couldn't fight. They died. They didn't even finish studying. All these people can't fight. They come to us and die. He [Putin] sees his army is just scattering. <...> He wants to drown Ukraine in blood, but also in the blood of his soldiers.»

As regards the «referendums» that Russia is preparing in the so-called DNR, LNR, and Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, the Ukrainian president said: «We will act according to our plans - step by step. I am sure we will liberate our territory. These are fictitious referendums, 90% of states do not recognize them».

At the same time, Zelensky is convinced that Putin will not use nuclear weapons. «I don't believe he will use these weapons. I do not think that the world will allow him to use these weapons,» the president of Ukraine said. At the same time, «looking inside Putin's head» is impossible, Zelensky says.

On September 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a «partial mobilization» in the country. His decree is vaguely worded: it has no mobilization criteria or quotas, so according to the decree, anyone can be sent to fight in Ukraine, experts interviewed by The Insider noted.

On September 20, the authorities of the so-called LNR and DNR announced that «referendums» would be held on their territories to become part of Russia. These statements were later joined by the occupation authorities of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. «Voting» will take place on September 23-27.