"He is not crazy, but mad." Rachmanin about mobilization in the Russian Federation as a step of blackmail and why it should not be underestimated - interview
The first thing Russia supports the so -called "referendums" and of course, the so -called partial mobilization, which Putin also proclaimed. Many say that mobilization decision is destabilizing for Russia. Video of the day I have a question: could the Kremlin, could Putin launch mobilization, not being sure that they can suppress all the protests that may arise about it? - It is necessary to ask Putin what he was guided and what "for" and "against" he weighed.
I can only suggest, I think he had two problems. The first - for the first time since the beginning of this war, Ukraine has firmly captured a strategic initiative. This was not before, Ukraine had tactical successes, operational successes. But a strategic initiative is when you impose a policy, agenda, impose your enemy rules. From the beginning of the counter -offensive first in the south, and then in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine has taken the initiative and still holds it in its hands.
And the Russians, despite the fact that they managed to align the front line in some places, it is not possible to intercept this initiative. And in order for the front not to collapse completely, so that this strategic initiative does not turn into a fairly humiliating military defeat of Russia, they needed to take some measures very quickly, take some steps. And he made these steps, it is not only mobilization, it is also an important step, but not the only one.
It is a decision to hold "referendums", it is interconnected, because it actually created a formal reason for potential use of tactical nuclear weapons. He actually threatened it before, and he could do it before, but decided to make such a casus bell, finding an additional reason for blackmail, he did it. Without this blackmail and without attracting additional forces, Putin has other options to stop the situation, it was not possible to align it.
Because the lack of human resources, primarily motivated and qualified, has become a huge problem. Moreover, I understand that he lives in his own world and is convinced that any protests are able to suppress. Practice now proves, the Russians, unfortunately, if we compare even with riots in Iran, they are not ready for active resistance.