“It appears to be a hoax,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told his daily press conference, referring to figures published by the Russian edition of the American magazine Forbes.
“I don’t think these reports should be taken too seriously,” the spokesman said, assuring that the number of people who left the country after the demobilization announcement was “not as far off” as the press suggested.
Last week, Putin ordered all men who were mistakenly mobilized to be sent home, amid growing protests and accusations of arbitrariness against those in charge of the posts.
On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that since September 21, more than 200,000 civilians have joined the ranks, with a total of 300,000 reservists to be mobilized.
Kazakhstan authorities, meanwhile, say more than 200,000 Russians have entered the Central Asian country after Russia declared partial demobilization.
On the same day that the partial demobilization was announced, a petition against this decision received almost 180,000 signatures, while a real rush to buy air tickets to Russia’s neighbors took place.
Flights quickly filled up and ticket prices for other flights rose, fueled by fears that Russia’s borders could be closed or a wider call-up to the front lines of the ongoing Ukraine conflict would be announced. , prompted by the Russian offensive that began on the 24th. February.
Many kilometers of cars were set up to leave Russia, and land borders were quickly searched.
In Finland, the number of arrivals from Russia almost doubled in the days after the mobilization was announced, with Helsinki’s decision to ban the entry of Russian tourists.
Poland and the three Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – bordering Russia have taken similar measures, restricting the entry of Russian citizens as much as possible.
“Hardcore explorer. Extreme communicator. Professional writer. General music practitioner. Prone to fits of apathy.”