Vladimir Putin wants mistakes of Ukraine mobilisation corrected, after elderly and sick called up
- Russia’s first public mobilisation since World War II attracted criticism even from the Kremlin’s supporters and prompted thousands of men to flee abroad
- Local media and social networks reported that students and people without military experience were also summoned
03:15
Flocks of Russians flee to avoid draft orders, while those who stay receive blessings
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that “all mistakes” made in a call-up to reinforce Russia’s military operation in Ukraine should be corrected, his first public acknowledgement that the “partial mobilisation” he announced last week had not gone smoothly.
Russian media and social networks have reported cases of the mobilisation of elderly people, students, the sick or conscripts without military experience.
Opposition to the drive has also sparked protests and the flight of thousands of men abroad.
“This mobilisation raises many questions. We must correct all the mistakes and ensure that they do not happen again,” Putin said during a videoconference with his security council broadcast on Russian television.
The president gave the example of fathers of large families, people suffering from serious illnesses or very old people being summoned, despite these groups being exempted legally.
“If a mistake has been made, it must be corrected and those who were summoned without an appropriate reason should come home,” Putin said.
