Russians are adjusting to the reality of President Vladimir Putin’s sweeping mobilization even as authorities in four occupied Ukrainian regions continue annexation votes derided by Kyiv and its allies as shams.
For millions largely shielded from the reality of the Kremlin’s bloody seven-month war, Putin’s speech on Wednesday — announcing a “partial mobilization” targeting 300,000 additional men — came as a shock.
Some men fearing conscription have been fleeing the country by plane or car, while others have gone to ground to hide from potential draft notices. Others, though, have no choice but to accept the new reality.
