A 16km Vehicle Queue at the Georgia Border to Avoid Russian Mobilization Order

Private Satellite Company Releases Satellite Images of Georgia Border Adjacent to Russia
Russians Allowed Entry to Georgia Without Visa

On the 21st (local time) in Moscow, Russia, riot police are suppressing protesters opposing the mobilization order. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Following Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to mobilize 300,000 reservists, a continuous stream of Russians is attempting to flee to neighboring countries sharing borders in order to avoid conscription.

On the 26th (local time), according to US CNN, the American private satellite imagery company Maxar Technologies released satellite photos of northern Georgia. The images show a long line of vehicles passing through the Georgian border checkpoint adjacent to Russia.

Reports indicate that cars are lined up as far as approximately 16 km from the border. CNN stated, "There is a possibility that vehicle congestion continued in areas north of the location captured in the satellite images," adding, "Videos taken in nearby areas confirm hundreds of vehicles gathered. Witnesses reported waiting up to 48 hours to cross into Georgia."

Georgia is a country where Russians can enter by land without a visa, and following the announcement of the mobilization order in Russia, many people trying to escape abroad appear to be flocking to Georgia. As a result, some political circles in Georgia are calling for the introduction of visas and border closures, but the border remains open for now.

There is also movement to head to Finland, which shares about a 1,300 km border with Russia. The Finnish Border Guard told CNN on the 25th that the number of Russians entering Finland via the land border has doubled compared to last Sunday.

As the exodus continues, concerns are growing that the Russian government may close the borders. According to the tally by the Russian independent media Novaya Gazeta, 261,000 men have left Russia between the 21st and 24th. The Moscow Times reported, "As early as this week, a travel ban may be imposed on men eligible for mobilization."

Meanwhile, protests against President Putin's mobilization order have erupted across Russia. Large-scale demonstrations have occurred, with at least 745 people detained and about 50 conscription centers set on fire. At one enlistment center, a man in his 20s opened fire, seriously injuring the center's head, who was transported to the hospital.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.