If Putin starts general mobilization, he will lose ability to influence international society through UN - military expert

He expressed this opinion on the air of the Verdict with Serhii Rudenko program on Espreso TV. 

"Only the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has the right to declare war, according to Russian law. If he does it in order to declare a general mobilization, Russia will lose the opportunity to influence international society, the international information space through such a profitable platform for them,  like the UN. It is the UN Security Council that can deprive Russia of the right to vote, only if it declares war. If this happens, they will not be able to spread their propagandist narratives, it is not profitable for them," Kovalenko explained.

According to him, there are not many Russians willing to fight in Ukraine, die or be wounded.

"If there is forced mobilization, there may be a rebellion in the military. The Kremlin understands this, Putin, Shoigu, and Gerasimov understand this. General mobilization is primarily a blow to the Russian Federation itself," Kovalenko added.