Putin Allies Express Concern Over Mobilisation 'Excesses'

US News ^ | 9/25/2022 | Reuters

[marcusmaximus]

Russia's two most senior lawmakers on Sunday addressed a string of complaints about Russia's mobilisation drive, ordering regional officials to get a handle on the situation and swiftly solve the "excesses" that have stoked public anger.

President Vladimir Putin's move to order Russia's first military mobilisation since World War Two triggered protests across the country and seen flocks of military-age men flee, causing tailbacks at borders and flights to sell out.

Multiple reports have also documented how people with no military service have been issued draft papers - contrary to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's guarantee that only those with special military skills or combat experience would be called up - prompting even ultra-loyal pro-Kremlin figures to publicly express concern.

Russia's top two parliamentarians, both close Putin allies, explicitly addressed public anger at the way the mobilisation drive was unfolding.

Valentina Matviyenko, the chairwoman of Russia's upper house, the Federation Council, said she was aware of reports of men who should be ineligible for the draft being called up.

"Such excesses are absolutely unacceptable. And, I consider it absolutely right that they are triggering a sharp reaction in society," she said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

In a direct message to Russia's regional governors - who she said had "full responsibility" for implementing the call-up - she wrote: "Ensure the implementation of partial mobilisation is carried out in full and absolute compliance with the outlined criteria. Without a single mistake."

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, Russia's lower chamber, also expressed concern in a separate post.

"Complaints are being received," he said.

"If a mistake is made, it is necessary to correct it ... Authorities at every level should understand their responsibilities."

[gleeaikin]

In your opinion: “Putin’s main purpose for this call-up is to signal that no end is in sight, to induce the EU and USA to stop subsidizing Ukraine, and force negotiations.”

I rhink Putin’a current moves are a response to the butt spanking he got from Xi at their recent meeting. The putdown from India didn’t feel good either. So now Putin has retreated to his luxury spa to sooth his butt and his feelings, launched a grenade and is waiting for the pieces to settle, before he is off to see Belaruse and stir up dung there. Tune in for further adventures of a failing dictator.

[wardaddy]

Yes I can

The last one

I watched it translated

Did you Cronos?

[wardaddy]

Yes I can

The last one

I watched it translated

Did you Cronos?

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

This suggests that the administrative organization of their "reserve" system is basically non-existent. They likely don't have an integrated database of everyone who has served, etc., so local officials are just picking dudes to go.

I can't really fathom a reserve call-up in the U.S where a bunch of guys who have never served were getting messages to report. The reserve system wouldn't even have the names/addresses of non-reservists in their systems at all.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Has it occurred to anyone that a number of officials have deliberately f’ed up the mobilization because Putin has not had the sense to go home.

It's possible, but I think the lack of any organized reserve system is the more likely explanation. Kind of like the mistakenly rosy picture painted by Putin's syncophantic advisors who told Putin what they thought he wanted to hear prior to the invasion. The people who knew that things were in such crappy shape wouldn't dare speak up.

So now, Putin was likely told there was a functioning reserve system, so he orders this partial mobilization expecting it wouldn't be tough to pull off, at least administratively. Instead, it's a cluster.

[gleeaikin]

If you are a dictator you should never underestimate how little your toaddies will actually tell you.

[ought-six]

“If you are a dictator you should never underestimate how little your toaddies will actually tell you.”

That is very true. That’s why so many dictators come to ignominious ends.

[xp38]

reminds me of these lines from the original Star Wars

Governor Tarkin:
The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us. I have just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.

General Tagge:
But that’s impossible. How will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?

Governor Tarkin:
The regional governors now have direct control over their territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station.