MOSCOW

Russia's president on Monday instructed 14 newly elected governors to make sure partial mobilization measures were being conducted properly in their jurisdictions.

At a meeting with the provincial heads, Vladimir Putin ordered them "to hold under constant control" legal issues related to the partial mobilization, as well respect to the rights of conscripts, and support for their families.

"I'd like to stress that all the decisions taken here, including social guarantees, payments, additional support from regional budgets to the families of soldiers, sergeants and officers who are serving and are now joining the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces, must be strictly implemented," he said.

Putin also urged the governors to search for solutions that turn foreign sanctions against the country to its benefit.

"We're obliged to use the challenges of external pressure in the interests of our own development, in the interests of strengthening the sovereignty of the state. It is necessary to act, to reveal to the maximum, to realize their own potentials -- scientific, industrial, technological, entrepreneurial," he said.

On Sept. 21, Putin declared partial mobilization in the country, expected to enlist about 300,000 people between the ages of 18 and 50 in the country's military.