They Are Traitors”: Russians Prepare to Flee Abroad

Mobilization Fears Spark Surge in Relocation Inquiries

The memory of the September 2022 partial mobilization, which saw 300,000 reservists called up for Ukraine, remains a powerful catalyst for preemptive departures. According to Anastasia Burakova, head of the “Kovчег” émigré support project, cited by Le Point, the support bot received 6.3 times more questions about leaving Russia during the first 20 days of August compared to the entire month of May. Daily emigration-related inquiries multiplied by more than eight times. Relocats, a project cited by the Kyiv Post, reported daily inquiries climbing from roughly 70 to 120 since July. Александра Назарова (Aleksandra Nazarova), editor-in-chief of Relocats, noted that many of these requests have become urgent. Meanwhile, Grigory Sverdlin, founder of the “Idite lesom” organization, told Le Point that his group now handles 150 inquiries a day—a 40% jump from the spring—with roughly 80% involving legal consultations regarding draft notices and exit bans.

Border Crossings and Official Denials from Moscow

Speculation intensified following unverified footage of long vehicle queues at the Upper Lars border checkpoint between Russia and Georgia. Russian authorities cited around 20,000 crossings in a single day, though Georgia’s Interior Ministry rejected the figures as a misinterpretation of two-way traffic. Anastasia Burakova urged caution regarding those numbers, noting to Le Point that while preparation is accelerating, physical mass migration comparable to September 2022 has not yet materialized. On the government side, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, dismissed rumors of a new mobilization as “nonsense.” Medvedev pointed out that 200,000 men signed military contracts during the first half of the year. Independent human rights monitors and media outlets, however, continue to document coercive recruitment tactics, such as men being intercepted in Penza Oblast and forced to sign defense ministry contracts.

Broader Economic Strain and Public Pessimism

Beyond draft fears, deteriorating economic conditions and security concerns are pushing Russians to seek a plan B. A survey by the VTsIOM polling center indicates that nearly two-thirds of Russians believe the country is preparing for difficult times—marking a level of pessimism unseen since the COVID-19 pandemic. Ukrainian drone strikes penetrating deep into Russian territory have added to the daily pressure. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the economic damage caused by these attacks while condemning them as harsh and barbaric. As the war hits closer to home, prominent officials have intensified their rhetoric against those leaving. Dmitry Medvedev branded émigrés desiring a Russian defeat as “traitors” who should be stripped of the right to return, signaling that departure is increasingly viewed by the state as a political stance.

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