The governors of Russias far-flung regions are taking up a call issued by their Chechen counterpart to mobilize volunteer fighters as the countrys militarysuffers major setbacks in northeastern and southern Ukraine.Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov called on his colleagues to self-mobilize 1,000 fighters each and send an 85,000-strong army to Ukraine nearly seven months after Russia invaded its pro-Western neighbor.Russia is a federal state where regions can initiate any undertaking such as self-mobilization, Kadyrovwrote on his Telegram channel.We shouldnt wait for the Kremlin to declare martial law or sit back and wait for the end of the [campaign] in Ukraine.Three governors from Russia's 85 regions have expressed full support for Kadyrovs initiative in the 24 hours since his call to action.Sergei Aksyonov, head of the Crimean peninsula that was annexed from Ukraine in 2014, was the first to back Kadyrov, boasting that his region has fielded more than 1,200 volunteer fighters and is forming two more battalions.Were fully providing them with combat uniforms, protective gear, communications and reconnaissance equipment, Aksyonovwrote Wednesday.Aksyonov and Kadyrov are ranked the most and second-most patriotic governors, according to a listshared by the broadcaster RTVI, which said it was compiled and presented at the opening session of Russias parliament Wednesday.The next toback Kadyrovs appeal for self-mobilization was Kursk region Governor Roman Starovoit on the border with Ukraine.Starovoit placed the number of local volunteers already deployed on the battlefield at 800 and said more residents are being recruited to defend against a potential Ukrainian incursion.By Thursday, the head of the Magadan region in Russias Far East which independent estimates say has the third-smallest population and some of thelowest troop deaths in Ukraine became the third governor to express support for Kadyrovs self-mobilization plan.Magadan region Governor Sergei Nosovsuggested, however, that Russian territories should pool together their resources based on their capabilities.The Kremlin has so far steered clear of declaring a politically risky nationwide mobilization to shore up its troops in Ukraine.