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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 ....
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 yester ....
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 pla ....
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. b ....
with the president. good evening, peter. peter: good evening, bret. president biden hoping to flex his diplomatic muscles here in new york. it s unclear how much of the world he has been able to rally so far around these issues that he thinks are the most urgent facing the planet. we are the authors of history. president biden sees two problems as bigger than all the rest. climate change. we don t have much time. and russia s invasion of ukraine. permanent member of the united nations security council invaded its neighbor. peter: but no call to remove russia from the u.n. security council despite renewed warnings of weapons of mass destruction. they re making irresponsible threats to use nuclear weapons. critics say the president s russia talk was missing something. call out the countries that are helping russia. call out the fact that china is helping. call out the fact that iran is sending drones. call out north korea for rockets. ing. among newc ....