Ukraine war: 100,000 Russians flee to Kazakhstan amid military draft
- President Putin wants to draft about 300,000 reservists to hold occupied territories in Ukraine, causing panic among some Russians
- Thousands of Russians were also trying to enter Georgia, many in vehicles that are stuck in long tailbacks snaking from the border
Tens of thousands of Russians have left the country since the partial mobilisation of the Russian military was announced almost a week ago.
According to the Interfax agency, about 98,000 Russian citizens have entered Kazakhstan alone since September 21, the migration department of the Kazakh Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday.
More than 8,000 Russians received a personal identification number, which is a prerequisite for registration 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 have received residence permits for Kazakhstan.
Russia started its war against Ukraine on February 24.
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to draft about 300,000 reservists to hold the occupied territories after a series of defeats suffered by the Russian army in Ukraine. He therefore ordered a partial mobilisation last Wednesday, which caused panic among many Russians.
Russian exodus grows amid fears Putin may restrict borders
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had declared that all Russians would be admitted. At the same time, Interior Minister Marat Akhmetzhanov stressed on Tuesday that wanted Russian conscientious objectors would have to be extradited.
Thousands of Russians were also trying to enter Georgia. According to regional authorities, about 5,500 vehicles, including about 3,600 cars, were jammed at the border south of Vladikavkaz on Tuesday.
The Interior Ministry 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 conscription centre for the war in Ukraine would soon be set up at the border.
