They don’t want to go to war. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have left the country since Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (70) ordered partial mobilization. Within a few weeks, 200,000 men fled to Kazakhstan alone. In fact, it’s not that simple.
Due to the war, few planes fly to or from Russia. In addition, you cannot enter every desired country with a Russian passport. The despair among Russians of conscription is great. Some risk their lives to avoid being sent to the front.
21 Russians tried to travel to South Korea via the Sea of Japan, the Korean Coast Guard reported. On September 27, a group of eight people sailed a yacht from the Russian city of Vladivostok. Destination: the coastal city of Donghae in South Korea.
The journey took five days as the yacht had to circumnavigate the border of North Korea. However, an electronic entry permit for South Korea is required – and it can take several weeks to apply. Time some reservists don’t have. Of the 21 Russians who fled, only two were allowed to stay. The Coast Guard told Reuters their motives were “unclear”.
With the dinghy to Estonia
Not an isolated case. Three more yachts from Russia have been spotted in the South Korean port city of Pohang. On board were Russian men between the ages of 20 and 30. Apparently, a real market has sprung up that wants to help Russians get out of the country by boat, Russia’s “BBC” reports. For example, there is a yacht transfer from Sochi to Istanbul. For the same route there is the possibility to book a canal cruise. You can also sail from Anapa to the Turkish city of Sinop.
The Alaska Coast Guard found two Russians sailing 450 kilometers to the United States last week to evade mobilization. Another man paddled a dinghy across the Narva River to Estonia at night, but was deported again for entering the country illegally. That writes the «Moscow Times». Cases like this are on the rise.
The British newspaper “The Guardian” reports about a 27-year-old man who fled Murmansk on a used bicycle. He covered almost 250 kilometers to the Norwegian border. (jwg)