Russia may announce general mobilisation to attack Ukraine or Baltic states – Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that the reason Russia is restricting access to social media is to prevent unrest in the event of a general mobilisation for a major new offensive against Ukraine or an attack on one of the Baltic states.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview aired on the joint 24/7 TV newscast on Sunday evening

Quote: "Russia's restrictions on social media are not about limiting criticism of the head of state. In my view, there is a deeper purpose – to prevent uprisings. What could cause uprisings in our northern neighbour? A number of things, a number of scenarios.

The first is general mobilisation, large-scale mobilisation in Russia. The mobilisation of people from major cities, including Moscow, of course, and St Petersburg.

Why would such large-scale mobilisation be carried out? To conduct another offensive – a major offensive against Ukraine. Option B: to conduct a smaller parallel offensive, at lower cost and less effort, somewhere where you can get by with fewer combat forces. Why? Because some states – one of the Baltics, for example – are not prepared for strong resistance."

Details: Zelenskyy said in summary that Russia's Plan A is "large-scale mobilisation, restrictions on social media, and launching an offensive".

"As for where, I think they have several options. And here he [Putin] is watching what is happening with the NATO countries. I think that's what will determine the choice: whether they will get involved or not," the president said.

Asked whether NATO Article 5 would be triggered in the event of an attack on the Baltic states, Zelenskyy replied: "I think that perhaps not all countries would want to support [the Baltic states], but in my view, NATO countries will have no choice – otherwise there will be no NATO. They will need to unite and respond to what Putin could potentially do. Otherwise they just won't have an alliance anymore."