Moscow tries to draft fleeing Russian men at the borders
- Many Russians leaving the country after Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilisation
- Rumours persist that Moscow may soon shut borders to all men of fighting age
Long lines of Russians trying to escape being called up to fight in Ukraine continued to clog highways out of the country, and Moscow reportedly set up draft offices at borders to intercept some of them.
North Ossetia, a Russian region that borders Georgia, declared a state of “high alert” on Wednesday and said that food, water, warming stations and other aid should be brought in for those who have spent days in queues.
Volunteers on the Georgian side of the border also have brought water, blankets and other assistance.
North Ossetia restricted many passenger cars from entering its territory, and set up a draft office at the Verkhy Lars border crossing, Russian news agencies said.
Some media outlets released photos at the crossing showing a black van with “military enlistment office” written on it.
Another such draft checkpoint was set up in Russia along the Finnish border, according to the independent Russian news outlet Meduza.