Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Daniel Boffey at the Verkhny Lars border crossing, Georgia

‘We didn’t want to be part of the war’: Russians at the Georgia border flee Putin’s call-up

Russians who entered Georgia at the Verkhny Lars border crossing.
Russians who entered Georgia at the Verkhny Lars border crossing. Photograph: Mari Garshaulishvili/The Guardian

Alexandra, 37, a lawyer from Moscow, appeared to almost astonish herself as she said it. Perhaps it was the first time she had, out loud. “We have left our house, our car, our lives – everything.”

Looking down at the top of the blond head of her small child, kicking a stone at her feet, Alexandra explained that she, her husband and son had driven for more than 20 hours from Russia’s capital before dumping their car in the southern city of Vladikavkaz and going on by foot to the border crossing with Georgia.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.