Russians flee to border after military call-up

Russian men are attempting to leave the country to avoid a military call-up for the Ukraine war, reports BBC today.

Queues have formed at border crossings since President Vladimir Putin announced a partial military mobilisation on Wednesday, which could see 300,000 people summoned to fight.

The Kremlin says reports of fighting-age men fleeing are exaggerated.

But on the border with Georgia, miles-long queues of vehicles have formed including men trying to escape the war.

Some of those heading into the neighbouring country have used bicycles to bypass lines of cars and evade a ban on crossing on foot.

One of these men, who did not want to be named, told the BBC's Nina Akhmeteli that he had waited since 09:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Thursday and managed to cross over late that evening.

Another man reported a 12-hour wait, citing the partial mobilisation as a reason for leaving Russia to continue his studies.

Agencies