Putin’s annexation plan for Ukraine to expand legal definition of 'Russian' territory: ISW

Russian President Vlimir Putin's annexation of occupied Ukrainian regions will expand domestic legal term for Russian territory under Russian law, Institute for Study of War (ISW) said. ISW underscored that action will allow Russian forces to openly deploy "conscripts" who have alrey been in Russian armed forces to fight in eastern and sourn Ukraine. It noted that Putin likely hopes to improve Russian armed forces capabilities by calling on Russian citizens to volunteer for war to "defend" newly claimed regions. 

"Putin’s illegal annexation of occupied Ukrainian territory will broen domestic legal definition of Russian territory under Russian law, enabling Russian military to legally and openly deploy conscripts alrey in Russian military to fight in eastern and sourn Ukraine," ISW said in a statement.

It furr said, " Kremlin’s annexation plans are primarily targeting a domestic audience; Putin likely intends to improve Russian force generation capabilities by calling on Russian people to volunteer for a war ostensibly to defend newly-claimed Russian territory." Notably, Russian-backed officials in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions have decided to hold a referendum on joining Russia with a vote set to take place from September 23 to 27.  ISW claimed that Kremlin will use "falsified results" of referendum to annex Russian-captured parts of Ukraine. According to ISW, Russia will likely declare unoccupied parts of Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as part of Russia. It furr said that Russian President Vlimir Putin and his visors are aware that Russian armed forces are "insufficient" to capture Ukraine and ir efforts to build large forces through voluntary mobilization are falling short of troops requirement in Moscow's offensive. 

Russia taking steps to increase force generation: ISW

Institute for Study of War noted that Kremlin is taking measures to directly increase force generation through "continued voluntary self-mobilization and an expansion of its legal authority to deploy Russian conscripts alrey with force to fight in Ukraine." It underscored that Putin likely plans to deter Ukraine's counteroffensives by annexing occupied territories of Ukraine and terming Ukraine's attempts to liberate ir regions as 'attacks on Russia.' latest assessment by ISW about ongoing war in Ukraine comes at a time when Kremlin leer announced a partial mobilization in Russia. 

Putin announces partial mobilization in Russia 

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Putin announced a partial mobilization in Russia, a day after Moscow-occupied regions in eastern and sourn Ukraine announced ir plans to hold a referendum on joining Russia. In his dress to nation on 21 September, Russian President stated that he has signed a decree on partial mobilization in Russia. According to AP, Kremlin leer stressed that decision of partial mobilization was "fully equate to threats" faced by Russia and to protect ir homeland "its sovereignty and territorial integrity" and "to ensure security" of people in Russia and "liberated territories." Putin accused West of engaging in "nuclear war" against Russia. Issuing a stern warning to West, Putin said that Russia will use "all means" to protect its territory and asserted that "it's not a bluff." 

Inputs from AP

Image: AP