Officials say 98,000 Russians enter Kazakhstan after call-up

(AP) TALLINN, Estonia — In the week after President Vladimir Putin authorized a partial mobilization of reservists to fight in Ukraine, around 98,000 Russians have entered Kazakhstan, according to Kazakh officials, as men attempting to elude the call-up have continued to escape by land and air into surrounding nations.

The most frequented destinations for people traveling by automobile, bicycle, or foot appeared to be Kazakhstan and Georgia, both of which were once a part of the Soviet Union.

Additionally, those with visas for Finland or Norway have been entering by land. Despite their high rates, international plane tickets were selling very swiftly.

Only roughly 300,000 persons with past military duty or combat experience would be called up, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, but there have been accusations from many Russian districts that recruiters were picking up men who did not fit that criteria. Fears of a far larger call-up were stoked by this, causing men of all ages and backgrounds to swarm airports and border crossings.

Marat Akhmetzhanov, the interior minister of Kazakhstan, stated in announcing the number of Russians who had crossed the border that the government would not deport anyone who were evading the call-up unless they were sought abroad for criminal activity.

Because of "the current terrible scenario," Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed his administration to help Russians enter Kazakhstan.

"We must look after them and make sure they are secure. Both politics and humanitarianism are involved. I gave the administration the go-ahead to implement the required steps," Tokayev said, adding that Kazakhstan and Russia will discuss the issue.