Russians trying to escape mass conscription drive, over 1400 arrested in protest

According to a New York Post report, protests were recorded on Wednesday in at least 38 cities after President Vladimir Putin ordered the mobilization of 300,000 troops in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine. Media reports also suggested that recent developments could escalate the situation to a full-scale nuclear war with NATO and its allies.

At least 1,400 protestors in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities in Russia as protests against the recent conscription order grow stronger. Mass protests were reported across the country against the biggest conscription order since the Second World War.

Following the order, many citizens started receiving summons for enlisting, and many started protesting against it. Video footage showed armed officers marching toward peaceful protesters in Novosibirsk and dragging them. Protesters could be heard shouting slogans that they didn’t want to die for Putin.





Most arrests were made in Moscow (530+) and St. Petersburg (470+), the two largest cities in Russia. Arrests across the country continued to be reported late at night on Wednesday, while the action had to be slowed down in some areas as the holding cells were packed to capacity.

Following the protests, waves of the Russian public wanting to exit the country could be seen near the borders.

The latest wave of the public wanting to leave Russia could be the biggest exodus since Russia initiated the war with Ukraine in February. Per media reports, on Wednesday alone, over 4,800 Russian immigrants arrived in Finland and the 3,100+ that arrived last week. The Finnish Border Guard confirmed that there had been a sudden spike in Russian immigrants following the conscription order, primarily because Russia shares its longest border line with Finland.

Similar was the situation at the Georgian border, which “collapsed” due to the sudden and overwhelming traffic. Likewise, long traffic jams were also reported at the Kazakhstan and Mongolia borders.

FAQs

How many troops does Putin want to mobilize?
President Vladimir Putin announced the mobilization of 300,000 troops for the ongoing war as the situation in Ukraine escalates.

How many protesters have been arrested?
At least 1,400 protesters were arrested on Monday. However, anti-protest operations continued late at night, with most arrests happening in Moscow and St. Petersburg