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Georgian authorities: Over 78,000 Russians flee to Georgia since partial mobilization
Over 78,000 Russian nationals have entered Georgia in the past 10 days, Georgian authorities said on Tuesday (Sep 27) after Moscow called up reservists in the country to fight in Ukraine.
Russians began fleeing the country within hours of Putin's ordering what he called a "partial" mobilization to call-up 300,000 men in an effort to reverse the course of his faltering war in Ukraine.
Although the mobilization for now is officially meant to apply only to those with some military experience, many fear the criteria could be expanded and that the government could block military age men from leaving the country.
The Georgian Interior Ministry said in a written statement, while nearly 78,800 Russian citizens have entered the South Caucasian country in that period, over 62,000 have returned to their country.
Georgian authorities have since taken additional security measures at the Kazbegi border crossing.
Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri told reporters that the number of Russian citizens entering Georgia from its northern neighbor has increased by 40-45% over the past week.
Some opposition leaders have objected to the influx, citing Russia's occupation of parts of the country, and some parties plan to stage a demonstration on the Russian-Georgian border on Wednesday (Sep 28).
Russia excludes some IT professionals, bankers and journalists from mobilisation
In 2008, a five-day conflict referred to as the South Ossetia conflict broke out between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Tbilisi ultimately lost control of both areas and Russia later recognized them as independent states.
In response, Georgia cut off diplomatic relations with Russia, after which Switzerland took up the role of mediator country.
Both regions remain internationally recognized Georgian territories.
Putin: Ukraine counter-offensive won't change Russia's plans
Officials in Kazakhstan, which borders Russia to the south, said 98,000 Russians have crossed into their country since Putin announced the mobilization last Wednesday.
Tens of thousands more have left via other countries, including Finland and Mongolia. The European Union's border service said 66,000 Russians had entered the bloc over the past week, 30% more than the week before.
