Putin announced a partial military mobilization aimed at slowing Ukraine's counteroffensive. Here's what we know about the state of the conflict.

RELATED: Russian police arrest anti-war protesters after military call-up https://bit.ly/3SKwkpB

Russia's partial military mobilization aimed at slowing Ukraine's high-octane counteroffensive was in full swing Thursday: Conscripts answered summonses, schools were commandeered for recruit intake – and there was plenty of controversy.

In the mountainous Siberian republic of Buryatia, 11 schools began doubling as administration buildings for draftees, the local arigus-tv reported. Medical exams were waived unless the recruit raised an issue. "Buryatia survived one of the scariest nights in its history today," resident and activist Alexandra Garmazhapova said in a Facebook post. "People are fleeing to Mongolia."

President Vladimir Putin, in a speech to his people Wednesday, said the mobilization was necessary because his country is fighting not just Ukraine but the entire Western world. The announcement set off protests resulting in hundreds of arrests around the country – and a run on plane tickets out of it.

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