that state. the fed raises interest rates, plus our cbs s carter evans takes a closer look tonight at inflation and why those already struggling financially are being hit the hardest. and america s opioid crisis. cbs s jeff pegues shows us why drug cartels are now pushing fentanyl that looks like candy. they re deliberately doing this to kill our children. this is the cbs evening news with norah o donnell, reporting from the nation s capital. duncan: good evening to our viewers in the west, and thank you for joining us tonight. i m jericka duncan in for norah. we begin tonight with the biggest escalation in the war in ukraine since the invasion itself. russia s vladimir putin is threatening nuclear war and warning the west he s not bluffing. it comes after humiliating defeats on the battlefield in ukraine and in a move not seen in russia since world war ii, putin is calling up hundreds of thousands of reservists. the announcement was met by intense anti-war protestors a
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,
300,000 additional troops will be called up to fight. this comes as russia has suffered ahumiliating losses to ukraine with troops retreating from territory. putin used his most direct language to date regarding the possible use of nuclear weapons. translator: this is not a bluff. the citizens of russia can be sure that the territorial integrity of our homeland, our independence and freedom will be ensured. those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the prevailing winds can turn in their direction. the comments come across the backdrop of the u.n. general assembly here in new york. president biden set to speak just hours for now, as multiple kremlin backed authorities announced referendums on joining russia this week. ukraine and its allies dismissed the moves as a sham driven by fear of defeat. i want to bring in kylie atwood here in new york, nick paton walsh is live in ukraine for us. this speech we thought it was going to happen yesterday, i
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 who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the prevailing winds can turn in their direction. of course these comments come against the backdrop of the u.n. general assembly here in new york. the war on ukraine dominating those conversations. president biden is set to speak in a few hours from now. ukraine s president zelenskyy set to address world leaders remotely later today. all of this as russia occupied regions in ukraine announced referendums on joining russia this week. ukraine and its allies dismissing that move as a sham driven by fear of defeat. we re covering all the elements. let s begin with barbara starr at the pentagon. frederick layton is in washington d.c. and matthew chance in london. matthew, what do we know this morning? reporter: this speech taking place at
more than 1,000 people have been detained across russia and heavily policed protests. you always feel worried at a time like this. if you have a wife and kids, i wouldn t want to leave them. it comes as occupied areas announce snap referendums on joining the russian state. for critics, a tiny fig leaf to cover a blatant annexation of ukrainian land and an opportunity to halt ukraine s advancing army by warning the western backers to defend the mother land. even the newest bits. translator: this is not a bluff. citizens of russia can be sure our territorial integrity, our independence and freedom will be ensured with the means at our disposal and those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know the prevailing winds can turn in their direction. reporter: it s a threat ukraine bristoling with u.s. and western arms has already rejected out of hand. officials recruiting the kremlin of throwing more men into the flames of a war it has no chance of winning. but in