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Zelensky Urges Russian Citizens to Oppose Military Mobilization

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Russian citizens to resist military mobilization, which sparked protests in parts of Russia, in his nightly address on Thursday, September 22.

During his address, Zelensky switched to Russian to “explain to the Russians what is happening.”

“Protests against mobilization took place in the cities of Russia – albeit not massive, but they took place. And they take place. And this is an indicator. Not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg. We know the real mood in the regions of Russia,” Zelensky said.

Hundreds of people were arrested in Moscow, and hundreds more around Russia, on Wednesday, after protests erupted against the mobilization.

“And now it’s time for you to choose,” Zelensky said. “For men in Russia, this is a choice to die or live, to become a cripple or to preserve health. For women in Russia, the choice is to lose their husbands, sons, grandchildren forever, or still try to protect them from death, from war, from one person.”

Zelensky claimed 55,000 Russian soldiers had been killed so far in the war in Ukraine and urged Russian citizens to “protest, fight back, run away, or surrender to Ukrainian captivity.” Credit: Volodymyr Zelensky via Storyful