Russians leave country amid fears of new military mobilisation

Thousands of Russian citizens are preemptively leaving the country due to fears of a potential new military mobilisation following the parliamentary elections held in September 2026. Although the Kremlin has not issued any official announcement regarding a new draft, uncertainty over future government actions has prompted a significant number of individuals to relocate abroad.

The trend mirrors the mass exodus seen in September 2022, following Vladimir Putin's partial mobilisation decree, though the current scale is smaller. Reports from The Economist dated October 12 highlight specific examples, such as a 35-year-old Moscow advertising worker named Dmitry, who fled to Istanbul immediately after casting a protest vote on September 18. Additionally, regional border data shows heightened activity; for instance, approximately 20,000 people crossed the Russian-Georgian land border on August 18, nearly triple the average daily volume, while demand for housing has spiked in Armenia.

While this movement is currently occurring without an official state mandate for new conscription, it reflects deep-seated public anxiety regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Authorities have not yet addressed these rumors or provided clarity on future military personnel requirements.