Putin calls up 300,000 extra troops in desperate bid to stop army’s collapse after Ukraine’s lightning counter attack

VLADIMIR Putin is set to scramble 300,000 extra soldiers to the frontline as he today announced a partial mobilisation of Russian troops. As the tyrant’s calamitous war continues to falter with Moscow losing ground on the battlefield, the desperate despot has called up more conscripts to bolster efforts in Ukraine. Putin addressed the nation for the first time since the start of the warSky News APHe ordered part mobilisation of troops as his war in Ukraine falters[/caption] The total number of reservists drafted in the partial mobilisation is 300,000, officials said. In his first televised address since the start of the war, Putin said: “To protect our Motherland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. To ensure safety of our people, and people at the liberated territories. “I find it necessary to support the suggestion of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff about declaring partial mobilisation in Russia.” In desperate bid to stop his army collapsing amid Ukraine’s lightning counterattack, Putin said he has signed a decree on the partial mobilisation, which is due to start on Wednesday, More on Russia and Ukraine HERO TO THE END Hero Brit dad killed fighting in Ukraine trying to rescue injured comrades 'NOT BLUFFING' Putin warns he'll strike West for 'crossing the line' as he mobilises troops Russia has lost some $1 billion in military equipment during the three-week counterattack which has seen tanks and ammunition abandoned by fleeing battalions as Ukraine recaptures swathes of land. Dramatic footage has captured Russian troops surrendering en masse with reports of plummeting morale among the soldiers. He added: “We are talking about partial mobilization, that is, only citizens who are currently in the reserve will be subject to conscription, and above all, those who served in the armed forces have a certain military specialty and relevant experience.” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a televised interview Wednesday that conscripts and students won’t be mobilised, only those with relevant combat and service experience. Most read in The Sun HOL LOT OF FIGHT Holly & Phil hire lawyers in fight for jobs after Queen queue-jump row NOT BUDGING Holly Willoughby will NOT quit This Morning after Queen queue jumping crisis Jean genie I’m a size 22 & never realised a cult high street brand did plus size clothes THIS MOANING Holly and Phil break silence on 'jumping Queen's queue' row on This Morning BODY GOALS Love Island star looks very different 1 year after show and body transformation THAWING OUT Cold snap to come to an end as clouds & rain replaced with 22C clear skies He said that 5,937 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine so far. Western estimates of Russian military losses stand at tens of thousands. In his speech, Putin also warned the West that it’s not a “bluff” that Russia would use all the means at its disposal to protect its territory. He also made a thinly-veiled threat to nuke the West and said he had “lots of weapons” he was prepared to use. In a haunting speech, he warned the West: “I have lots of weapons – this is not a bluff.” Putin accused the West of engaging in nuclear blackmail and noted statements of some high-ranking representatives of the leading NATO states about the possibility of using nuclear weapons of mass destruction against Russia. He added: “When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will use all the means at our disposal to defend Russia and our people, this is not a bluff.  “Russian citizens can be sure that the territorial integrity of our homeland, our independence and our freedom will be secured by all the means at our disposal. “Those who are trying to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the winds may blow in their direction.” Putin also claimed Western countries are trying to “block” any independence and development. He added: “In order to force their will in brutal ways to other people. “The aim of the West is still weaken and destroy, they are openly saying that.” Ukraine has accused Putin of “trying to shift the blame for starting an unprovoked war” and Russia’s worsening economic situation onto the West. Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters: “Russia’s mobilisation was a predictable step that will prove extremely unpopular and underscores that the war is not going according to Moscow’s plan.” Last night Putin mysteriously cancelled a speech last minute. Read More on The Sun out of line Watch the moment Holly and Phil ‘jump the HUGE queue to see the Queen’s coffin’ FAMILY TIES William & Harry have a 'forgotten' stepsister & she was at the Queen's funeral Kremlin insider Sergei Markov then announced on the Telegram social media platform just over two hours after Putin was due to speak that his address was “postponed until tomorrow”. The political insider said: “The longer President Putin’s already announced speech is delayed, the more serious announcements it will contain.”