Russia's 'War Mobilization Order' Sparks Escape Rush... Long Lines at Borders

On the 21st (local time), police in downtown Moscow, Russia, are arresting a protester who is demonstrating against the partial mobilization order for reservists. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Foreign media report that long queues and severe congestion have occurred at some border checkpoints leading to neighboring countries after Russia announced a partial military mobilization order targeting reservists.

On the 22nd, the BBC introduced eyewitness accounts of a long line of vehicles stretching 5 km at the Verkhni Lars border checkpoint between Russia and southern Georgia.

Other witnesses told the BBC that it took seven hours to cross the border that day. The BBC reported that those subject to mobilization who wanted to avoid being sent to the battlefield were included in the waiting line that day.

Since the mobilization order was announced, there has been a continuous escape from Russia to avoid mobilization summons.

It is also reported that a stream of Russians avoiding mobilization is heading to Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country bordering Russia.

On the 23rd, the Kazakh border guard said, "The number of foreigners (Russians) entering our country at the border with Russia is increasing," adding, "Traffic congestion is occurring at four vehicle crossing points due to the increased number of cars and passengers."

The BBC also reported that traffic has increased at border checkpoints in Finland, which borders Russia.

It is also known that flights to countries where Russians can enter and exit visa-free, such as Turkey, Armenia, and Uzbekistan, are selling out one after another.

However, the Russian government claims that Western media reports on this escape wave are "exaggerated reports."