Putin estimates that 318,000 Russian citizens have been mobilized, of which 49,000 are already fighting in Ukraine

The president confirms almost 20,000 new "volunteers" incorporated after the mobilization period

MADRID, 4 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has estimated this Friday at 49,000 the current number of mobilized reservists who are in combat zones in Ukraine, approximately one sixth of the total that joined the ranks during the decreed "partial mobilization" state by the president, which ended last week, and whose number is increasing thanks to the incorporation of new "volunteers".

In fact, Putin has assured that almost 20,000 more citizens have joined the ranks since the end of this period last Friday, bringing the total number of Russian citizens prepared for combat in Ukraine to 318,000.

The figure declared by the Russian president is less than the 87,000 combat reservists confirmed just three days ago by Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

"The flow of volunteers to the Russian Armed Forces does not stop and the number of mobilized has already exceeded 300,000", declared the Russian president from the Red Square in Moscow before the Monument to Minin and Pozharski, heroes of the expulsion of the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania in the early 17th century.

"Why more than 300,000? Because the number of volunteers has not stopped growing," explained the Russian president regarding the increase in the initial limit announced during the 37 days of mobilization, before thanking the new recruits for their support to the families of the mobilized.

In his appearance, the Russian president has placed special emphasis on what is happening in the Ukrainian region of Kherson, incorporated by Russia, and for weeks the scene of a major offensive by Ukrainian forces that has led Moscow to organize a major evacuation of the town on the other bank of the Dnieper River.

"Right now the residents who live in Kherson must be evacuated from the most dangerous areas. The civilian population must not suffer bombings, offensives, counterattacks or other measures related to military operations," he said during his appearance, collected by the TASS agency .

A first phase of the evacuation ended last Friday, Crimea Governor Sergei Aksenov announced at the time. However, last Tuesday the pro-Russian governor of Moscow, Vladimir Saldo, decided to extend the evacuation perimeter another 15 amateur kilometers and ordered another forced evacuation process starting next Sunday.