Russian men are trying to leave the country to avoid military call-up for the Ukraine war.
Lines have formed at border crossings since President Vladimir Putin announced a partial military mobilization on Wednesday, in which up to 300,000 men could be called up to fight.
The Kremlin says reports of fighting-age men fleeing are exaggerated.
But along the border with Georgia, miles-long lines of vehicles have formed with men trying to flee the war.
Some of those visiting the neighboring country have used bicycles to bypass the lines of cars and avoid restrictions on pedestrian crossings.
One of the men, who did not want to be named, told that he had been waiting since 09:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Thursday and late in the evening. Succeeded in getting through.
Another person reported a 12-hour wait, citing the move in part as the reason he left Russia to continue his education.
Georgia is one of the few neighboring countries where Russians can enter without applying for a visa. Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia, requires a visa to travel, and also reported a spike in overnight traffic – but said it was at a manageable level. .
Other destinations reachable by plane – such as Istanbul, Belgrade or Dubai – saw ticket prices skyrocket shortly after the military call-up was announced, with some destinations completely sold out. Turkish media have reported a massive increase in sales of one-way tickets, while remaining flights to visa-free destinations can cost thousands of euros.
Germany’s interior minister indicated on Thursday that Russians fleeing the draft would be welcomed into his country.
Nancy Feser said those at risk of “severe coercion” would receive protections on a case-by-case basis after a security screening. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the Czech Republic said in varying tones that they would not offer asylum to fleeing Russians.
‘I’ll break my arm, my leg…anything to avoid the draft’
By Olesya Gerasimenko and Liza Fokht
Sergei – not his real name – has already been called.
The 26-year-old PhD student and lecturer was expecting a grocery delivery the night before Putin’s address, when two men in civilian clothes arrived and handed him military papers to sign.
Only those who have completed their military service and have special skills and combat experience will be called up, the Kremlin said.
But Sergei has no military experience and his stepfather is worried, because evading the draft is a criminal offense in Russia.
