Putin says 318,000 people reported to military service under mobilization

MOSCOW

President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that 318,000 people were recruited under the partial military mobilization in Russia, while 49,000 of them are already carrying out combat missions in Ukraine.

Speaking at a meeting with volunteers in Moscow at an event, commemorating Unity Day -- Russia's national holiday celebrated on Nov. 4 -- Putin explained that the number exceeds the planned 300,000 because many citizens voluntarily reported to the military service.

"We already have 318,000 (mobilized people). ... Because volunteers are coming," Putin said.

The president promised that the state will provide all necessary support to the families of those taking part in Russia's "special military operation."

Asked about evacuations from Ukraine's Kherson city, Putin said it is located too close to the combat zone and the civilians were asked to leave the area to avoid casualties.

He also said the Russian authorities are working to facilitate the procedure of issuing documents to the Ukrainian refugees, fleeing to Russia.

"We are currently making decisions that will make it possible to receive these documents in a simplified manner. And we will improve these tools. We will definitely work on it," he said.

From Sept. 21 to Oct. 28, Russia carried out a partial military mobilization, under which 300,000 recruits were enlisted to the army.

Last week, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said the partial military mobilization was over and on Monday, ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov reported that all mobilization activities were completed -- the military commissariats stopped issuing and sending notifications and returned to routine work.