Russians flee Putin’s draft amid fears of wider war Familiar scenes of mass exodus re-emerge along the Russia-Georgia borderRecord numbers of Russians are reportedly crossing the country’s borders as Vladimir Putin prepares for another major military mobilisation and fears grow that the war in Ukraine could spill into Europe. More than 113,000 people and 33,000 cars crossed Russia’s border with Georgia through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint last week alone. Russia’s Federal Customs Service also reported a single-day record of 20,000 passenger crossings on August 18. Fresh mobilisation fears send Russians rushing out The surge follows leaked claims that a new mobilisation drive could begin this autumn, with between 300,000 and 500,000 men potentially drafted into the Russian military. Previous mobilisation campaigns have triggered sharp increases in emigration among Russians eligible for military service. Exiled opposition media and Ukrainian intelligence have reported plans for a “peripheral mobilisation” targeting rural regions and smaller cities after parliamentary elections in September. The strategy would limit the political fallout in Moscow and St Petersburg, where growing economic strains are already visible. Neighbouring states brace for another exodus Armenia has signalled that Russians fleeing mobilisation will be welcomed. Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan said border officials would not question Russians about why they had arrived, declaring: “To Russians, all I can say is ‘Welcome to Armenia’.” The country has become a major destination since the invasion, with 417,000 Russians entering Armenia in the first half of 2026. Fears grow that Putin could test NATO The exodus comes as Western intelligence agencies warn of potential further escalation. Concerns have emerged that Moscow could attempt a limited incursion into one of the Baltic states, raising the prospect of a direct confrontation with NATO. CIA director John Ratcliffe travelled to Russia for unannounced talks on Tuesday and is believed to have warned against any attack on Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania. Baltics warn Europe the threat is worsening The three Baltic nations recently warned European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen of a deteriorating security environment, citing increasingly frequent airspace violations and drone incursions. Ratcliffe’s visit carries added significance: the last known trip to Moscow by a CIA director was made by William Burns in 2021, just months before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine war sees Russians fleeing country to avoid conscription and 'Europe attack' threat
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