14 years agoa column of Russian tanks and armored vehicles crossed the Caucasus Mountains blocking the border with Georgia. Russia was on the way to invade the neighboring country with the excuse of securing the pro-Russian enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Today the image is repeated. But instead of soldiers, it is citizens who are trying, on foot or by car, to reach Georgia. He wants to dodge the “partial military mobilization” that forces them to go to war in Ukraine.
Since Vladimir Putin announced last Wednesday the call-up of 300,000 reservists, thousands of military-age men have tried to leave the country. That same day all the flights out of Russia were sold out and the roads that communicate with Finland began to collapse.
Travelers from Russia cross the Georgian border at Zemo Larsi/Verkhny Lars station, Georgia
However, the exodus has accelerated in recent days for fear that the Kremlin close your borders following the counting of votes from illegal referendums held in four occupied Ukrainian regions.
Currently, there are already 10,000 Russian citizens who enter Georgia daily through the Verjni Lars pass, according to the Georgian Interior Minister, Vakhtang Gomelauri. “This means between 40 to 45% more than a week ago,” he said.
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The data handled by other neighboring countries is similar. In Kazakhstanthe president of the Immigration Service Committee, has encrypted in 98,000 Russians who have arrived in the country since last Wednesday, although 64,000 had left. And it is that they can only stay in the country until 90 days visa free.
In total, it is estimated that261,000 men have left Russia since the mobilization was declared, according to the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe citing a Kremlin source.
Crossings from Russia at the Zemo Larsi/Verkhny Lars station in Georgia.
“The border is death”
Nikita is one of those young Russians who could get a summons to join the ranks. However, as he explains in an interview with Archyde.comdecided to drive to the Kazakhstan border crossing, where about 500 cars were standing at the checkpoint.
“The border is like death. In five hours they only let 50 people through“, Nikita points out to the news agency. The story is repeated at the entrance to Finland and in Mongolia, where those who do not have a vehicle sleep on the asphalt “in improvised beds with clothes” waiting to access the territory.
“In five hours they only allowed 50 people to cross the border”
The truth is that traditional exit routes, such as trains, buses or planes, have not stopped working at any time. However, the tickets are completely sold out despite the fact that prices skyrocketed after Putin’s announcement.
Banknotes for 28,000 euros
Faced with this desperate situation, many Russians have taken desperate measures. At least those who can afford it. And the demand for seats on private planes it has been fired in Moscow bound for Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, which allow visa-free entry.
as collected The Guardianthese passengers would be paying between 22,000 and 28,000 euros for a seat in a jet private. Likewise, renting a private eight-seater plane would reach a price of between 89.00 euros and 156,935 euros. This is an exorbitant price compared to a few weeks ago.
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“The situation is crazy right now“, highlights Yevgeny Bikov, director of an aircraft company, Your Charter. “We received about 50 requests a day, now it is around 5,000,” he points out to the British newspaper.
Despite the mass flight, the The Russian Ministry of Defense declared on Tuesday that not planning to order from other countries the extradition of citizens. These, however, find themselves in the difficult situation of welcoming and guaranteeing the safety of those who arrive.