Almost a week after the announcement of the partial mobilization of the Russian army, many Russians are still trying to leave their country. After available flights are still rare, huge traffic jams developed towards Georgia – however, about 98,000 Russian citizens are said to have already entered the country in Kazakhstan, the migration authority said on Tuesday.
Russia says Russia does not want to put pressure on countries to force war refugees to return home. The Russian Defense Ministry does not plan to appeal to authorities in Kazakhstan, Georgia and other countries “about an alleged forced return” of Russian citizens residing there, the authority said in Moscow on Tuesday.
Many Russians panic
According to the Kazakh authorities, more than 8,000 Russians have been given a personal identification number, which is a requirement for registering and opening bank accounts in the Central Asian country. Since the beginning of April, more than 93,000 Russian citizens have received identification numbers and more than 4,000 residence permits for Kazakhstan. Russia launched a war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24.
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to call up some 300,000 reservists to hold the occupied territories after the defeat of the Russian army in Ukraine. That is why he ordered a partial mobilization last Wednesday, which caused panic among many Russians.
Farmers are also called upon
Farmers are also apparently affected by this partial mobilization: in a televised speech, Putin called on regional authorities and farms to take this into account. Farming families must be supported, Putin warned. But the farmers’ call also fuels new concerns about next year’s crop in Russia, the world’s largest wheat exporter.
Conscientious objectors must be extradited
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had declared that all Russians would be admitted. At the same time, Interior Minister Marat Akhmetdschanov stressed on Tuesday that wanted Russian conscientious objectors must be extradited.
Thousands of Russians also tried to reach Georgia. According to regional authorities, about 5,500 vehicles, including about 3,600 passenger cars, were stuck at the border south of Vladikavkaz on Tuesday.
border crossed on foot
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Republic of North Ossetia allowed people to cross the border on foot. At the same time, according to the Russian state news agency TASS, the authorities announced that a concept center for the war in Ukraine would soon be established on the border.
Bulgaria advises to leave Russia
Meanwhile, Bulgaria has advised Russian citizens to leave the country and discouraged travel to Russia. Bulgarians staying in Russia are advised to be more vigilant and avoid crowded places.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
