An Irish expert has described Vladimir Putin’s latest move as a “last desperate throw of the dice” as Ukraine is making strides in reclaiming territory.
It comes as the Russian president announced a partial mobilisation of reserves and sent a threat to the West.
Dr Andy Scollick, a security specialist who hails from West Cork, also said that it is “time to tighten screws” and that Russia’s threats of nuclear action are “bluffs”.
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Scollick is a European Defence consultant and has previously worked in defence analysis, as well as advising and working across sectors in Ukraine and other European nations from 2014 to 2019.
The specialist said: “Putin's last desperate throw of the dice - hold sham referenda, annex occupied territories, then claim Ukraine and NATO are attacking 'Mother Russia' in order to justify a limited nuclear strike."
Taking to Twitter, Scollick continued: "Nuclear blackmail won't work. He's bluffing. Time to tighten the screws on Russia.
"Of course, those who say ‘this is not a bluff’ are bluffing. If Putin uses a tactical nuclear weapon against Ukraine, NATO will react with conventional means. Russia will be put in a stranglehold, eg by arresting Russian shipping, attacking Wagner, even Tartus in Syria.
“The 300,000 reservist call-up is likely to produce less than 25,000 new fully trained frontline troops. Even then, they will be no match for Ukraine's battle-hardened forces.
"The others will fill logistics and clerical roles in the rear to free up Russia's last combat troops."
The comments come as Putin wants to claw back after Ukraine managed to regain a lot of its territory in recent weeks with surprise surges.
The president, in response, gave a stark warning amid plans to counter the progress made by Ukrainian troops.
Reservists will now be called up to serve their army from today, while the president also said they will push on with plans to hold referendums in four occupied territories from September 23.
Ukrainian Presidential Advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak, called the move predictable and added it'll be unpopular with ordinary Russians.
Foreign Minister for Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, said that "the Russians can do whatever they want" and that announcements "will not change anything".
He tweeted: "Ukraine has every right to liberate its territories and will keep liberating them whatever Russia has to say."
French President, Emmanuel Macron, said the election plan would be funny if "it wasn't so tragic".
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