Flights have sold out and queues have emerged along Russia’s border as Vladimir Putin’s military call-up sparks an exodus.
Prices for air tickets from Moscow soared above $7500 for one-way flights to the nearest foreign locations, with most sold out for coming days.
Traffic also surged at border crossings with Finland and Georgia.
It comes as Russia has begun the mobilisation of up to 300,000 citizens – its biggest conscription since World War II, sparking nationwide protests and a rush on airports.
The Russian government said reports of a mass exodus were exaggerated.
A human rights group says security forces have detained more than 1300 people protesting the war.
At the same time, a top White House Official is quoted as saying the US is taking Russia’s veiled threats to use nuclear weapons seriously.
