Western leaders disagreed over whether Europe should welcome those fleeing the call-up to fight in Ukraine.
The Russian president's decision to announce the first mobilisation since the second world war has led to a rush among men of military age to leave the country.
Witnesses on the border with Georgia, a popular route used by Russians to leave the country, said that some men resorted to using bicycles and scooters to skip the miles-long queue of traffic jams.
Footage from the scene circulating on social media appeared to confirm these reports.
"I have been waiting in my car since Thursday afternoon," said Anton, who declined to give his surname, fearing it might complicate his travel. "Everyone is worried that the border will be closed by the time we get anywhere close to it," he added.
Usually sleepy border crossings into Kazakhstan and Mongolia have also been overwhelmed by the sudden wave of Russians.
This story is from the September 24, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the September 24, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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