announce another big interest rate hike spurring fears of a recession. hello, and welcome. it s wednesday, september 21st. 9 a.m. here in london. 11 a.m. in moscow where we re following a potentially drastic escalation of russia s war on ukraine. vladimir putin is ordering a partial mobilization to boost his military fight. the russian president says it begins today. those in the reserve and with previous military experience will be subject to it. cnn s covering the story from every angle. we re joined in london and nick peyton walsh is standing by. nick, to you first. this announcement of a move, partial prescription isn t entirely unexpected given the losses we re seeing russia suffer on the battlefield. what does this mean? reporter: what s startling is how fast this will go into action but i think it s fair to say relatively limited. for 12 hours we have been awaiting really a speech from the kremlin head and talk had been possibly he might call for mass mobilization
is a partial mobilization. putin also made an ominous pledge to use all means to, in his words, defend his country. translator: this is not a bluff. the citizens of russia can be sure that the territorial integrity of our homeland, independence and freedom will be ensured and those that try to black mail us with nuclear weapons should know that the prevailing winds can turn in their direction. reporter: putin s rare national address comes amid a fierce counter offensive from ukraine s forces and the kremlin-backed push for referendums that could lead to moscow annexing occupied parts of ukraine. let s go to cnn s international security editor nick peyton walsh. nick, a partial mobilization. i mean, this sounds pretty drastic but could putin have gone even further? reporter: yes, certainly could have. this is not the mass mobilization which many during the 12-hour delay before the speech came out this morning were thinking might have been on the cards. he is, it seems,