This summer, a 28-year-old digital content marketer left Russia, citing the political situation and internet restrictions as reasons for his departure. Speaking from Krasnodar before heading to the border with Georgia, he expressed sadness about leaving his home. He is among those who have either left or are considering leaving due to fears related to the ongoing war in Ukraine and rumors of troop mobilization.
The recent Ukrainian drone attacks have exacerbated concerns, leading to a fuel crisis and significant impacts on the e-commerce sector. The Russian government has used these attacks to justify increased internet restrictions. Although the current exodus is not as large as in 2022, a group assisting those fleeing reported receiving nearly eight times more inquiries in August compared to May.
Anastasia Burakova, founder of the organization Kovcheg, noted that while there are not large crowds at border crossings, there is an increase in people preparing to emigrate. Current conditions differ from 2022, when many men fled a military call-up, as there are no significant shortages of travel options to countries like Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey.
Social media posts from individuals across Russia indicate a desire to leave, driven by concerns about the economy, uncertain futures, and diminishing freedoms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that Russia may plan another mobilization after the State Duma elections, a claim the Kremlin has denied.
Human rights activist Yan Slovizki described a noticeable increase in emigration since mid-July, linking it to fears of mobilization and internet restrictions. A Moscow diplomat reported a rise in public anxiety, with more Russians appearing in neighboring countries.
Alen Simonyan, secretary of Armenia's Security Council, stated that Armenia would not interfere with Russians seeking refuge from military service. This comment drew criticism from the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Russian lawmaker Viktor Sobolev remarked that those leaving due to rumors do not demonstrate love for their country.
The digital content marketer, who previously left Russia to avoid a military call-up, expressed concerns about the unpredictability of the situation. He noted that he is not eligible for military service due to a medical condition but felt it was safer to leave.
Another individual, a 23-year-old woman, left Russia fearing her husband might be drafted. She shared that her father had previously escaped a draft by leaving the country. Ivan Nazarov, a recent university graduate, stated that his move to Armenia was motivated by survival concerns amid reports of forced deployments.
Queer activist Daniil Neonov left Russia after facing legal issues related to his activism. He noted that many others have also left after being detained for political reasons.
A 35-year-old Russian expressed a desire to leave due to the lack of free speech and the negative direction of the economy. He described the current environment in Russia as a 'digital jail' with no rights for citizens.
Contributions to this report were made by Sophiko Megrelidze in Tbilisi and Ani Khachatryan in Yerevan.