Vladimir Putin is aiming to "drown Ukraine in blood", president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned.
He insisted the Russian tyrant didn't care if he was killing his own people in addition to Ukrainians.
Speaking to BILD TV in Germany, Zelensky said “He wants to drown Ukraine in blood, including the blood of his own soldiers,
His remarks came shortly after Putin announced a partial military mobilisation.
It will consist of 300,000 reservists who will be called-up to aid the Russian president's ailing war in Ukraine.
The move has upset wives and mothers of soldiers who are affected.
He also claimed his words were "not a bluff” and warned Russia would use weapons of mass destruction if it was threatened which raised the stakes of a potential nuclear conflict breaking out.
World leaders have widely condemned the threats of weapons of mass destruction.
But Zelensky said he did not believe the world would allow Putin to use nuclear weapons and pledged to press on with liberating Ukrainian territory which has been captured by Russia
He said he did not believe the world would allow Putin to use nuclear weapons.
In interview with Germany's BILD TV, he warned against being cowed by Putin's threats, saying they would invite Russia to attempt to take more territory.
He said: "I don't believe that he (Putin) will use these weapons.
"I don't think the world will allow him to use these weapons.
“I don’t believe that he (Putin) will use these weapons. I don’t think the world will allow him to use these weapons.
“Tomorrow Putin can say: apart from Ukraine, we also want a part of Poland, otherwise we will use nuclear weapons. We cannot make these compromises.”
Swathes of Ukraine have been secured by forces in the country after a huge counter-offensive which hit Russian troops badly and resulted in mounting casualties among its fighters.
Putin has tried to remain in control but has had to call-up 300,000 reservists in response to Russia’s failed efforts on the battlefield.
Zelensky added: "He sees that his units are simply running away.”
The Russian claims on regions were a “sham” and would not be recognised by the majority of countries.
He added: “We will act according to our plans step by step. I’m sure we will liberate our territory."
Referendums are due to begin on Friday in Luhansk, Kherson and Russia-controlled parts of the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions.
Putin’s address to Russia was seen by world leaders as a sign of panic.
It followed retreats on the ground, and international criticism of Russia's invasion.
And the move to bring in more troops has resulted in increasing signs of dissent at home against the war.
Jens Stoltenberg, Nato leader described Putin’s remarks, especially about nuclear weapons as “dangerous and reckless”.
Zelensky will address the UN General Assembly today by video link.
