Moscow has denied reports that 700,000 Russians have fled the country since Vladimir Putin last month announced a mobilisation order to increase the numbers fighting in Ukraine.

 

However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov conceded he did not have an exact figure for how many people had left since the announcement on 21 September.

...

Within a week of the call-up, it was reported that at least 260,000 people had crossed the country’s border to avoid fighting on the front line.

 

Hundreds of thousands of Russians, mostly military-age men, are said to have crossed neighbouring borders including those of Finland, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Mongolia.

 

(more)

 

https://news.yahoo.com/moscow-denies-700-000-fled-125130597.html

 

 

 

Also:

Russians fleeing draft challenged in Kazakhstan

https://news.yahoo.com/russians-fleeing-draft-challenged-kazakhstan-090314914.html

 

Where have Russians been fleeing to since mobilisation began?

https://news.yahoo.com/factbox-where-russians-fleeing-since-101636193.html

 

 

22 minutes ago, onthedarkside said:

Within a week of the call-up, it was reported that at least 260,000 people had crossed the country’s border to avoid fighting on the front line.

Can’t say I blame them. 
 

To quote A Flock of Seagulls 

 

“And I ran, I ran so far away
I just ran, I ran all night and day”

 

I Ran

Flock Of Seagulls 

That number is wrong!  It's not 700,000.  It's 700,002. They didn't count the two that showed up in a boat on a remote Alaskan island seeking asylum.   

Countries are under no international obligations to give asylum to people fleeing military service.  The UN protocols specifically does not include evading military service.  Countries are, of course, free to allow them to stay if they want, but none of them are provided with the designation of UN sanctioned refugees.  

 

There are people who are facing conscription and may have other factors that would qualify them for asylum, but not conscription alone.  

19 minutes ago, Scott said:

Countries are under no international obligations to give asylum to people fleeing military service.  The UN protocols specifically does not include evading military service.  Countries are, of course, free to allow them to stay if they want, but none of them are provided with the designation of UN sanctioned refugees.  

 

There are people who are facing conscription and may have other factors that would qualify them for asylum, but not conscription alone.  

 

From the third news report linked above:

 

"HOW ARE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES REACTING?

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland began turning away Russians holding tourist visas issued by any of the EU's Schengen states on Sept. 19. Finland followed suit on Sept. 30.

 

Norway's Arctic border with Russia is the last direct route into Europe open to Russian Schengen tourist visa holders. Norway's justice minister said on Sept. 30 the government could ban further arrivals from Russia at short notice if necessary."

 

and

 

"A French minister said France would also be selective on who was allowed to remain in the country, taking into account a person's situation and the security risk.

 

"We will make sure dissident journalists, people who fight the regime, artists and students can still come here," Junior Minister for European Affairs Laurence Boone said on Oct. 5."

 

43 minutes ago, onthedarkside said:

 

From the third news report linked above:

 

"HOW ARE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES REACTING?

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland began turning away Russians holding tourist visas issued by any of the EU's Schengen states on Sept. 19. Finland followed suit on Sept. 30.

 

Norway's Arctic border with Russia is the last direct route into Europe open to Russian Schengen tourist visa holders. Norway's justice minister said on Sept. 30 the government could ban further arrivals from Russia at short notice if necessary."

 

and

 

"A French minister said France would also be selective on who was allowed to remain in the country, taking into account a person's situation and the security risk.

 

"We will make sure dissident journalists, people who fight the regime, artists and students can still come here," Junior Minister for European Affairs Laurence Boone said on Oct. 5."

 

Dissidents and journalists may have a claim for asylum on the basis of their activities.  For those simply evading the draft, they are at risk of being sent back at any time.  

 

Much of how countries handle the situation depends on what signals the Russian gov't sends out.   If they say anyone returning will not face recriminations, then countries may start returning them once they tire of having a large number of unattached, military age males with a taste for Vodka in their country.   However, if Russia makes ominous threats to their safety, then they will be able to apply for asylum.   The basis for the claim would be that they will face persecution upon their return.

 

A troll post trolling about Trump has been removed.

I find it odd that this exodus of young, fit men of military age has not given rise to fear mongering rants against migrants/refugees from the usual commentators on such things.

 

 

 

 

12 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I find it odd that this exodus of young, fit men of military age has not given rise to fear mongering rants against migrants/refugees from the usual commentators on such things.

Surely, you aren't referring to the posters who think that all the migrants should stay home and make their country better?   

 

I don't envy any military age men in Russia.  They are in an untenable situation if they actively disagree with the war in Ukraine.  Their forays into neighboring countries could well be met with deportation and I don't think Vlad is going to be particularly happy with them when they return.   

What if you are an "influencer" or YouTuber?

 

I'd immediately create an online news service and call myself a journalist.

 

Comrade, Pattaya holds the answer to winning this war!!! I must interview the locals and get the secret information!!!   The massage girls seem to have a good grasp of rocket launching.