Russians leave before election ends, fearing mobilisation to follow

Russians fearing a new military mobilisation are leaving the country in advance of possible restrictions on departure, according to the anti-war project Ark, after requests for emergency assistance and emigration advice from Russia have nearly octupled since the start of the summer. The surge coincides with Russia's State Duma elections, which began on Friday and run through Sunday. Kremlin critics and several Western governments have accused Moscow of planning to announce a new call-up to beef up its troops in its ongoing all-out war in Ukraine after the vote concludes, allowing an unpopular measure to avoid affecting the election.