The Russian Defence Ministry released footage on Monday of mobilised citizens carrying out military exercises at the Mulino training ground near Nizhny Novgorod.

The video shows tank crews receiving their orders, before carrying out firing practice.

The ministry reported that servicemen also practised shooting, honed their engineering skills and rehearsed tactics, while getting up to speed on military medicine, communications, and topography.

Small arms training was involved, as well as using and maintaining other weaponry and military equipment.

President Vladimir Putin announced the partial mobilisation of 300,000 reservists on Wednesday, September 21, saying it was to protect both Russian sovereignty and those in the territories of four regions; the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), Kherson and Zaporozhye.

Reports from various countries bordering Russia suggest that thousands fled the country since the policy came into force.

On September 30, Putin agreed to sign documents allowing the accession of the four areas into the Russian Federation.

According to Moscow, it followed referenda in which people living there exercised their right to self-determination and requested to join Russia.

Ukraine and its international allies condemned the move, calling it an annexation of Kiev’s sovereign territory.

Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.

Kiev condemned the action, while President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered martial law and his own full mobilisation in February.