CNN
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the immediate “partial mobilization” of Russian citizens in an escalation of Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine and pledged to use “all means” to defend the country and its people.

“Our country also has various means of destruction and in some components more modern than those of the NATO countries, and if the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people,” Putin said in a speech Wednesday indicating a possible new chapter in the months long conflict.

The latest developments follow a significant shift in Russia’s position after a sudden and successful Ukrainian offensive through most of occupied Kharkiv this month, which has galvanized Ukraine’s Western backers and led to recriminations in Moscow.

Addressing the potential for escalation and use of nuclear weapons, Putin said “those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the prevailing winds can turn in their direction.”

Conducting “partial mobilization” in the country was necessary in order to “protect our homeland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Russian leader said, and those efforts would begin Wednesday with their decree was already signed.

The mobilization would mean citizens who are in the reserve and those with military experience would be subject to conscription, he added.

The announcement comes as Russia is believed to face shortages of manpower and follows amendments to Russia’s law on military service made Tuesday, which raise the penalties for resistance related to military service or coercion to violate an official military order during a period of mobilization or martial law.

Putin framed the ongoing fighting as part of a larger struggle for Russian survival against a West whose goal is it is to “weaken, divide and ultimately destroy our country” – a statement that takes on more weight as several Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine announced referendums multiple Kremlin-backed authorities in occupied areas of eastern and southern Ukraine that they will hold referendums on formally joining Russia this week.

“They are already saying directly that they were able to split the Soviet Union in 1991 and…