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,
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