TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Russian President Vladimir Cheese fries called farmers in the category of Russian citizens who were drafted for operations in Ukraine. The obligation of farmers to join this military mobilization increases the risk for the Russian harvest in 2023.

In a meeting with Russian officials on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Putin unveiled his intention to discuss conscription for peasants with all regional leaders and interested parties on this issue.

“As part of the partial mobilization, agricultural workers are also recruited. Their families should be supported. I ask you to pay special attention to this issue,” Putin said in a televised meeting.

Russia is the largest wheat exporter in the world. Some of Ukraine’s border regions in southern and central Russia, such as the Kursk region, are major grain producers.

Autumn is usually a busy season for Russian farmers as they have to sow winter wheat for next year’s harvest. They must also prepare to harvest soybeans and sunflower seeds.

Planting of winter wheat has been considerably delayed by the rains. The lack of available farmers is feared to thwart next year’s harvest.

Despite the risks, in a meeting with officials Putin said Russia was on track to harvest a record 150 million tonnes of grain, including 100 million tonnes of wheat by 2022.

Earlier Wednesday, September 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military mobilization to deal with the war in Ukraine. Putin warned Western countries that he was not just bluffing and that he was ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia.

Following President Putin’s policy, separately Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 that Russia is targeting 300,000 reservists to support its military aggression in Ukraine.

The call-up of some 300,000 reservists led to the first sustained protests in Russia since the start of the invasion of Ukraine. Watch groups estimate that at least 2,000 people have been arrested. Any public criticism of Russia’s “special military operations” is prohibited.

Flights from Russia sold and hundreds of cars are stuck in heavy traffic at a border checkpoint, Tuesday, September 27, 2022. There is a 48-hour queue at the only border with Georgia, a pro-Western neighbor who allows Russian citizens to enter without a visa.

Also read: Russia has no plans to close borders to intercept citizens who avoid military service

Reuters