Ukraine war
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, around one million Russians have left their homeland. After the announcement of the partial mobilization, Security Councilor Christian Gantner (ÖVP) expects that Russian young men fleeing their conscription could also come to Vorarlberg.
Reports are currently piling up on social media that young men are trying to leave Russia via the Finnish border. Because anyone who has only recently completed his military service must expect to be drafted. However, unlike Ukrainian citizens, Russian refugees have to apply for asylum, which first has to be approved, explains Gantner.
Partial mobilization was foreseeable
Andrei Kobzev turned his back on Russia back in 2018. Like many others, he looks with concern to his old homeland, where friends are now waiting for the order to move in after the announcement of partial mobilization. For him, the partial mobilization in Russia was foreseeable: “One had to reckon with the fact that at some point the partial mobilization would come from the state,” he says. In the meantime, acquaintances of him have also been affected by this: Although no one in his close circle of acquaintances has yet received a letter of conscription, in the broader circle they have.
The reactions to such letters would be the same: “They were and still are shocked,” says Kobzev, depressed. For many, the call-up came unexpectedly, and some would also consider leaving the country and fleeing. Kobzev doesn’t really believe that partial mobilization will bring change: “I want to believe in it, but I’m not sure that there will really be a movement,” he points out. Those who now perceive the situation differently would try to flee. The others would stay, he explains.
Native Russians in Vorarlberg
Half a million Russians have left their homes since the beginning of the war between Ukraine and Russia. The partial mobilization is now driving more Russians to flee. Born in Russia, Andrei Kobzev has been living in Vorarlberg since 2018.
Tolerance for those who think differently became smaller
For Kobzev, the political direction in Russia was no longer right around four years ago when he decided to emigrate. Even at that time, tolerance towards those who thought differently had become smaller and smaller.
The Russian war propaganda is now also having an effect on his closest family circle: “My mom supports Putin, supports what he does,” Kobzev regrets. “She doesn’t worry too much about what’s going to happen.” His mother watches state media and trusts television.