'I don’t want to be a pawn in Putin’s deadly game': Russians flee mobilisation

Our Observer "Kirk", one of thousands of Russians fleeing their country to avoid fighting in Ukraine, took this photograph at Russia's border with Georgia on 28 September, 2022. To bypass lines of cars and evade a ban on crossing on foot, he paid $600 for a used bicycle and cycled the last 20 km. © Telegram

The announcement of Russia's first mass mobilisation since World War Two - calling up troops for its war in Ukraine - has seen thousands fleeing for its borders to escape the draft. Our Observer is one of tens of thousands of Russians to have fled to neighbouring Georgia. Footage shared on social media shows huge lines forming at Russia’s borders, as people escape by car, bicycle and even on foot.

While the Kremlin said the mobilisation would only affect fit adult men with combat experience, reports have been coming in of men being drafted who are officially exempt, sparking the rush to escape the country.