Mobilisation fears are prompting thousands of people to leave Russia amid concerns that the Kremlin could call up more troops to fight in Ukraine, even though no new mobilisation has been announced.
According to a report published by British magazine The Economist on October 12, uncertainty over the Kremlin’s next moves has led some Russians to move abroad pre-emptively.
One of them is Dmitry, a 35-year-old who worked in advertising in Moscow. On September 18, the first day of parliamentary elections, he reportedly wrote the word “criminal” on his ballot, cast it and went straight to the airport to catch a flight to Istanbul.
Increased movement across Russia’s borders
The situation has drawn comparisons with September 2022, when President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation, prompting hundreds of thousands of Russians to leave the country.
This time, however, the departures are taking place on a smaller scale and without an official announcement of a new call-up.
According to figures cited by The Economist, around 20,000 people crossed the land border between Russia and Georgia on August 18, almost three times the usual daily number.
Armenia has also seen increased demand for housing. The country allows Russian citizens to enter without a visa, and rents have reportedly risen by 30% to 50% since the spring.
‘I was tired of living in this atmosphere’
For some, the decision to leave goes beyond concerns about military service.
Yuri, a former employee of a tourism company in St Petersburg, told The Economist: “I was tired of enduring it, of living in this atmosphere.”
Anastasia Burakova, a representative of Kovcheg, an organisation that helps Russians opposed to the war settle abroad, said requests for assistance had increased by as much as eight times since July.
She described the latest wave as smaller but better prepared than the exodus in 2022.
Elections fuel concerns over Kremlin decisions
Russia’s parliamentary elections took place from September 18 to 20 amid allegations of electoral irregularities, pressure and restrictions on the opposition.
United Russia secured around 58% of the vote, according to figures cited in the report, maintaining a strong parliamentary majority.
Some Russians fear that the conclusion of the elections could make it easier for the government to introduce unpopular measures, including another mobilisation, as the war in Ukraine continues into its fifth year.
Kremlin denies plans for new mobilisation
The Russian leadership has dismissed reports of an imminent mobilisation. Putin has described similar claims as “absolute nonsense” and part of an “information attack against Russia”.
Despite these denials, uncertainty appears to be influencing the decisions of people seeking to establish themselves abroad.
Armenia, Georgia and Turkey are among the destinations mentioned in the report, with easier entry requirements playing an important role in decisions to leave.
The movement highlights the social consequences of the prolonged war and the concern among parts of Russian society over the possibility of another military call-up.
Also read: Turkey seeks equal status in EU industrial policies
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
