The Kremlin’s official website says Vladimir Putin yesterday held a briefing session with the permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.

The meeting was reportedly attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Minister of the Interior Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov and Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov.

Speaking at the meeting, Putin said, “We have several issues to discuss with you today regarding cooperation with the CIS countries. I met with the heads of the secret services from the CIS countries this afternoon, and they raised a number of issues that are certainly of interest to Russia.

“But first of all, I would like to discuss a very important, vitally important issue for us, I mean the management of activities on partial mobilization.

“You know that, at the suggestion of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, a partial mobilization has been underway in Russia since September 21.”

According to him, all the instructions to the Government, the Defense Ministry, the General Staff and the heads of the regions have been issued.  The criteria for partial mobilization have reportedly also been formulated.

The Russian leader noted once more that citizens in the reserve, above all, those who have served in the Armed Forces, have needed military specialties and the relevant experience, are subject to conscription.

“At the same time, those called up for military service must undergo additional military training before being sent to their units.  I would like to emphasize that this coordination and personnel training is a requirement that must be strictly observed,” Putin added.