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Reuters

One-way flights out of Russia were selling out fast on Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin ordered the immediate call-up of 300,000 reservists.
Putin’s announcement, made in an early-morning television address, raised fears that some men of fighting age would not be allowed to leave Russia.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the call-up would be limited to those with experience as professional soldiers, and that students and those who had only served as conscripts would not be called up.
Nevertheless, Google Trends data showed a spike in searches for Aviasales, which is Russia’s most popular website for purchasing flights.
Russia calls up 300,000 reservists as Putin vows ‘all means’ for defence
Direct flights from Moscow to Istanbul in Türkiye and Yerevan in Armenia, both destinations that allow Russians to enter without a visa, were sold out on Wednesday, according to Aviasales data.
Some routes with stopovers, including those from Moscow to Tbilisi, were also unavailable, while the cheapest flights from the capital to Dubai were costing more than 300,000 roubles (US$5,000) – about five times the average monthly wage.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the possibility of border closures to prevent citizens evading the call-up.


Asked whether Russia would close its borders for those who are subject to mobilisation, Peskov said: “I can’t answer that question … There are provisions for this in the current laws.”
Peskov also said the Russian government would soon determine which citizens would be allowed to defer a call-up in the new draft.
The Kremlin has repeatedly said it will not send conscripts – young men serving mandatory 12-month terms in the armed forces – to Ukraine.
The head of Russia’s tourism agency said no restrictions have been imposed on travelling abroad so far.
Aeroflot, the country’s flag-carrying airline, said it was not limiting ticket sales.


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Ukraine war: flights out of Russia sell out after Putin orders partial call-up of reservists

Russia’s Aeroflot said it was not limiting ticket sales. Photo: Reuters

A hoarding promoting contract army service displayed in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war: Russia calls up 300,000 reservists as Putin vows ‘all means’ for defence

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing the nation in Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: Russian Presidential Press Service 

A hoarding with the slogan ‘Glory to the Heroes of Russia’ in St Petersburg, Russia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Destroyed Russian armour in Izium, a town recently liberated by Ukrainian troops in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

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Pope Francis speaks during his weekly general audience at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

News

World

Russia & Central Asia


Direct flights from Moscow to Istanbul and Yerevan, both destinations that allow Russians to enter without a visa, were sold out on Wednesday
The president’s announcement raised fears that some men of fighting age would not be allowed to leave the country



Direct flights from Moscow to Istanbul and Yerevan, both destinations that allow Russians to enter without a visa, were sold out on Wednesday.


Ukraine war: flights out of Russia sell out after Putin orders partial call-up of reservists

Direct flights from Moscow to Istanbul and Yerevan, both destinations that allow Russians to enter without a visa, were sold out on Wednesday The president’s announcement raised fears that some men of fighting age would not be allowed to leave the country

Direct flights from Moscow to Istanbul and Yerevan, both destinations that allow Russians to enter without a visa, were sold out on Wednesday

The president’s announcement raised fears that some men of fighting age would not be allowed to leave the country