According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, 300,000 people up to the age of 55, and those who have completed military service, are waiting for the military invitation.
Russian media reports that even senior citizens are receiving such calls as well as those without a single day of military experience.
It is claimed that the Kremlin plans to call up to half a million soldiers for mobilization. Such stories are circulating throughout Russia, but the Kremlin is trying to silence them.
“It’s not that I’m afraid. If he wants, he can occupy each of us”, said Mikhail Bayankin, 28 years old from Cherpoveci.
He claims he will refuse to go to war, even if they go home to get him.
“They talk about service. What service? I would go if our country was attacked, but we are attacking the neighboring country”, Bayankin added to Deutsche Welle, emphasizing that for the Russian authorities, people’s lives have no value at all.
“They are sending us to the front, and it will not be too late if we do not return. For them, we are meat for a ball”, said the young Russian, among other things.
Others think the same. Witnesses and videos speak of long queues at the borders. Whoever does not have a visa, leaves for Kazakhstan or Mongolia. Whoever has more money, heads to the United Emirates or Turkey. Finland and Serbia are also desirable destinations for Russians.
A 34-year-old engineer from Krasnodar, who asked not to be named, has actually reached Tbilisi. Earlier he was a soldier and this increases the likelihood that he can be mobilized.
Valery Klepkin, 43, until two days ago lived in the north of Russia and worked in the police. He says that since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, he has accepted several invitations from the army, but until now he has responded.
“I am a reserve officer. I didn’t want to wait any longer, as I would have only one choice – to go to prison or become a murderer,” he said.
Upon hearing the news of the mobilization, Klepkin packed his bags and went to Finland where he has many friends. He says that he has known the Finnish language for a long time, since his grandfather lived there.
The road has become somewhat impassable in the Baltic states, the leaders of Estonia and Latvia have announced that the Russians should stay in their countries and fight against the Putin regime. It is the same in the Czech Republic, while Finland is soon expected to close the entry for transit of Russians.