Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Russia's partial mobilization prompts online insults from Ukraine

Share
KYIV -

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry on Sunday ridiculed Moscow's partial mobilization to bolster its forces in Ukraine, posting on Twitter a mash-up of social media videos of Russian police beating and arresting men protesting the call-up.

The mockery came as Russia's two top lawmakers expressed concern about the drive, ordering regional officials to resolve "excesses" that have ignited public anger, triggered demonstrations and prompted military-age men to make for border crossings.

“Russia still has remnants of a professional army†that the Ukrainian army "hasn’t yet destroyed,†the Ukrainian defence ministry said in , referring to this month’s rout of Russian forces from much of the northeastern Kharkiv region.

"Looks like we'll be 'de-mobilizing' these Russians ahead of schedule.

The mobilization has prompted both sides to trade a fresh round of insults. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that fake statements on social media were in part to blame for the reaction to the announcement.

"There is now no shortage of explanations and there are opportunities to ask questions," Peskov said. "We have to look calmly, thoughtfully and objectively at the provocative, huge number of fake statements on social media and not give in to these provocative actions."

Multiple reports have documented how people with no military service have been issued draft papers - contrary to Russian 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.

Officials say 300,000 more Russians will be called up to serve in the mobilization campaign.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Susan Fenton and Daniel Wallis)(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Susan Fenton)

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Toronto police say they are searching for a suspect who allegedly shot and killed his brother in an argument at a Scarborough housing complex late Saturday night.

An Edmonton man says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was injured by members of the Edmonton Police Service last year.

Local Spotlight

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.