Putin's conscription decree sent people into hiding in
Moscow, men disappeared from streets and restaurants, millions fled the
country.
Moscow | Moscow, with a population of 1.2 million,
seems empty. People don't show up at restaurants like they used to. The shops
are empty. The roads are muddy. Among those seen are women. The men seem to
have disappeared. In fact, the missing men from the Russian capital have gone
to war against Ukraine.
Some fear that
they too will be sent to war, so they leave the city. Russian officials believe
that 200,000 Russians have fled to Kazakhstan, as Russians do not need
passports to travel there.
Also many Russians have arrived in Georgia, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Israel, Argentina and Western European countries. This streak is
still going on. A manager of a salon in the capital says that half of our
customers have left the country. Even male barbers are leaving. They have left
the country to escape President Putin's campaign to send his men to war.
Those who remain fear that if they appear on the streets,
they will be given notice to be sent to war. The men's documents are being
checked outside the metro station. Olya's boyfriend has also left the country.
Women in Moscow say their male partners are leaving the country. Some are
preparing to leave. They fear that they will face consequences if their
identity becomes public.
The exodus of
Russians began with the start of the war with Ukraine. Those who opposed the
war also left the country for fear of being sent to prison. People leaving the
country also fear that the border will be sealed if martial law is imposed.
They will be trapped in Russia itself.
On Friday, Putin announced that 2,20,000 people had
been prepared to be sent to war. Stanislava, a 33-year-old photographer, says
that Russia has become a country of only women.
Dating sites have become active in countries where people have fled from Russia. Downloads of the dating app Mamba in Armenia increased by 135%. Georgia and Turkey saw 110% more downloads, while Kazakhstan saw 32% more downloads.
