Economist Podcasts The 300,000 body problem: Russia mobilises and threatens
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Sep 21, 2022 
Shashank Joshi, defense editor at The Economist, delves into Vladimir Putin's recent announcement of troop mobilization in Ukraine, focusing on the implications of his threats and accusations against the West. The conversation highlights the desperation within Russia's military recruitment strategy and the challenges of deploying effective personnel. Additionally, the podcast touches on the shifting political landscape in rural America and an intriguing archaeological find in Borneo that sheds light on ancient surgical practices.
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Mobilization Impact
- Russia's mobilization will bring the war closer to home for many citizens.
- 300,000 reservists with prior military experience will be called up, addressing manpower and skill shortages.
Referendums in Occupied Ukraine
- Russia plans to hold referendums in occupied Ukrainian provinces like Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporizhia.
- These rigged votes mirror the 2014 Crimean annexation, aiming to absorb these regions into Russia.
Strategic Implications of Annexation
- Annexing Ukrainian territories allows Putin to frame attacks on them as attacks on Russia, justifying potential nuclear responses.
- This strategy potentially expands Russia's conscription base and strengthens their claim on the occupied regions.