MOSCOW | According to recordings by Russian television, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a training ground for mobilized soldiers in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow on Thursday.
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It is the first time since announcing the partial mobilization of hundreds of thousands of reservists on September 21 that the Russian leader has been on the ground observing training exercises for these civilians called up in support of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
At a shooting range, the Russian president himself tried to shoot with an automatic weapon, lying on the ground, wearing a hard hat over his ears and a black coat on his back, according to images broadcast on Russian television.
A rare sight these days: Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited a training base in the Ryazan region together. Looks impressive, but few soldiers are actually equipped like this. pic.twitter.com/AIQKdLJiIk
— Mary Ilyushina (@maryilyushina) October 20, 2022
Vladimir Putin also exchanged views with some mobilized soldiers. “Good luck!” he called to one of them, patting him on the shoulder.
According to Russian authorities, the Russian President also observed tactical training exercises or even fire control technology during a major fire.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was also present during the visit, also briefed him on the training of these hundreds of mobilized reservists, Russian authorities said.
Vladimir Putin on September 21 announced the partial mobilization of several hundred thousand reservists to try to contain the momentum of Kiev troops in Ukraine.
According to a figure he published last Friday, 222,000 people have already been mobilized, of which 16,000 are already in “combat units” in Ukraine.