Zelensky calls on residents of occupied territories to go over to Ukrainian side

In his evening address on Friday, Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky called on residents of territories occupied by Russia to “hide from the Russian occupation by any means.”

“Dodge the summonses. Try to leave for the free territory of Ukraine,” Zelensky said. He called on those who nonetheless end up in the Russian army to sabotage all enemy activities, to interfere with Russian operations, and to pass all important information to the Ukrainian side, including about bases, headquarters, and ammunition depots.

“And at the first opportunity, come over to our positions. Do everything to preserve your life and help liberate Ukraine,” he stressed.

On September 21, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a “partial mobilization.” The part of the order indicating the number of people to be drafted is classified. Novaya Gazeta Europe reports that this part of the order discusses drafting a million people. A Meduza source who close to Russian federal ministries says that Russian authorities plan to draft 1.2 million people into the army.