Has mobilization been declared before in the history of modern Russia? How did this happen in the 20th century? historians answer

At an address on September 21, Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilization – the decree came into force today, subject to those who serve in the army, have combat experience and the necessary military registration expertise (which ones are still unknown). all three points are compulsory military service. In total, approximately 300 thousand reservists will be called in (“1% of mobilization resources”), the mobilization will not affect the students; conscripts; with a registered certificate; employees at the enterprises of the military-industrial complex.

Has anything like this happened before in the history of modern Russia? And how did events develop during the First World War and the Great Patriotic War? We asked these and other questions to a journalist, political observer, and author of the “historian of alcoholics” channel.

How was the mobilization in the Russian Empire during the First World War?

The mobilization in the First World War took place against the background of a patriotic uprising, people rushed to the recruitment stations, everyone wanted to stand up for the Fatherland, society was incredibly united around the idea of ​​​​standing against the Tsar’s Faith. and the Motherland.

To be exact, all the first months of any mobilization were partial to the extent that they were partial.

Peacetime armies are not designed to recruit even the first stage of the mobilization reserve. Ultimately, unlike Germany or France, total mobilization did not occur in the Russian Empire due to the abundance of the population, there was no such need.

In fact, the actual mobilization is most similar to the mobilization carried out in the Russian Empire during the Russo-Japanese War.

At that time, they did not dare to withdraw most of the Russian Imperial Army from the western borders of the country, so the troops fighting in Manchuria were fully replenished with partially called reserves.

How were things at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War?

The organization and mass nature of the mobilization of the First World War and the Great Patriotic War can be compared. However, the accounting and conscription system of reservists in the Soviet Union has not been touched since tsarist times.

But you need to understand two important nuances. First, part of the mobilization was thwarted by the rapid advance of the Germans. The military zones along the western border of the USSR could not be mobilized because these areas actually came under German occupation. Secondly, the secret or targeted mobilization of the USSR began as early as 1939: the army was growing rapidly, the defense factories switched to a seven-day working week, the spring demobilization of 1941 was canceled not only in May-June. the fourth, but also the third, was released from the military schools before the planned courses, so that the officers were replenished.

Have there been similar events in the history of modern Russia? Perhaps there was unofficial mobilization in times of conflict?

No, there was no such thing. During the second Chechen war, the conflict in Donbass in 2014-2015 and the conflict in Syria, it was always with the targeted recruitment of volunteers.

How can current events develop further if we stick to the view that history is cyclical?

The cyclical nature of history was invented for those looking for iron patterns everywhere. In fact, history does not have such a feature. Each process is unique and unpredictable in its development and finale, this is especially true for military conflicts.

How competently was the mobilization carried out before, taking into account all the risks? How competently is it now executed?

Mobilization, like any military preparation process, was largely hidden from the public.

We can say with certainty that the partial mobilization presented today began quite a long time ago, probably in the early spring.

In any case, it became clear that even then, unfortunately, it would not be possible to successfully complete the NWO in Ukraine without such measures.