Russian men flee Ukraine War mobilization as others stay to protest

Synopsis

Russia is mobilizing hundreds of thousands of reservists to bolster its war effort in Ukraine, with President Vladimir Putin increasing penalties for those refusing to fight. Despite this, many Russians are fleeing the country to escape the draft, leading to long lines of vehicles at the Lassie border crossing into Georgia. Some men report paying $1,200 for expedited passage, as waiting in line could take up to 72 hours. The announcement of partial mobilization has triggered an exodus of fighting-age men, with fears of martial law being declared following the unification of Eastern parts of Ukraine with Russia. In Dagestan, protests against the mobilization result in clashes with police, leading to over 100 arrests. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges Russians to resist the mobilization, emphasizing the personal stakes involved in the conflict, as many question why their loved ones should fight in a war driven by one man's ambitions.