Russian Man Escapes to Korea by Yacht from Vladivostok: Why?

Draft Evaders Flee to Countries Around Russia
Some Men Attempt Escape by Bicycle

As Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a partial mobilization order, the number of men fleeing to neighboring countries of Russia to avoid conscription is increasing. Some are reported to have entered South Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bora Lee] As Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a partial mobilization order, Russia is in chaos with men trying to escape their homeland to avoid conscription. These men are fleeing Russia by various means, such as sailing yachts to Korea or crossing the Arctic border by bicycle.

According to the British daily The Guardian on the 10th (local time), tens of thousands have fled Russia since the mobilization order, and many have chosen unusual routes. The Guardian, citing BBC Russian Service, reported, "On the 27th of last month, a yacht carrying eight Russian men departed Vladivostok and headed for Korea."

Those who set sail from Vladivostok, Russia's Far East port, are known to have arrived in Korea after crossing the East Sea's open waters. Since they had to avoid North Korean territorial waters, their voyage took five days. They had planned a yacht trip this year, but when the Russian government issued the conscription order, they hurriedly advanced their schedule and left Russia.

The media also reported that private boat companies in Russia offer services sailing through the Black Sea to Turkey. The cabin fare for a catamaran sailing from Yalta in the Crimean Peninsula, occupied by Russia, to Sinop in Turkey is 1,400 pounds (about 2.22 million won).

Moreover, there were men escaping Russia by bicycle. Ilya (27 years old) purchased a used bicycle from a friend in Moscow the day after the mobilization order was issued and boarded a sleeper train to Murmansk with the bicycle. Afterwards, he rode the bicycle to Kirkenes, a border town in Norway.

Ilya added, "Fortunately, I was training for a triathlon just before the war started," and said, "I never thought that would be so helpful."

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