Kremlin admits mistakes as Russian men flee mobilization

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 27 Sep 2022 by Alex Teddy

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On September 26 Putin's spokesman said that there had been errors by regional governments in the implementation of the mobilization decree. Some ineligible men have been drafted, and this error needs to be corrected.  Only men who are under 35 and who have done military training are eligible for the draft. But some men who do not meet this criteria have been drafted. There are numerous exempted men such as students, those with disabled children, those who are medically unfit and those who have pregnant wives. But some of them have been drafted.  There is a fear that the draft will be much broader than was initially announced. Clause 7 of the mobilization decree is still secret. There is uspicion that it allows a general mobilization. Some fear that the border will be closed to men aged 18-35. The government sought volunteers, and reportedly over 10,000 have volunteered. Since the mobilization order on September 21 over 2,000 people have been arrested for protests in at least 37 cities. Russian men are heading to countries they can enter without visas: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Armenia. There is no sense in going to Belarus because Belarus is little more than an extension of Russia at the moment. Flights to visa-free countries have skyrocketed in price and are booked up for weeks. In Oral, Kazakhstan, a movie theater has been used for temporary accommodation for over 200 Russian men. So far most Kazakhs have been welcoming. But some Kazakhs are worried, saying more Russians in Kazakhstan strengthen Russia's claim to some Kazakh land. Moreover, the influx of Russians has led to rising rents and hotels being completely booked. Inflation i...