From bankers to drivers, to computer programmers, to photographers, youth from Russia are driving for hours, and paying hefty amounts on police check-posts to escape out of the country. Some have paid bribes equivalent to months of their salaries, some had to wait for many days due to miles-long traffic. While some others kept their passports, left their cars on the border and moved forward on foot. These people, who have moved to Georgia from Russia, do not know when they will be able to return home.
People are escaping the country after last week, President Vladimir Putin announced that civilians would have to take part in the battle against Ukraine, and people are scared that if they remain in Russia, they would have to fight the battle. Till now, more than 2 lakh Russian youth have escaped. Around 25% of the people have reached Georgia via the narrow valley separating the 2 countries. Around 10 thousand people are running away daily via the only authorized border crossing.
Many people, along with their cars, had to leave their wives and children on the border, and went to Georgia as they head of the Russian army coming. Now, they are waiting for their family members to join them in Georgia.
