Thousands of Russians are fleeing the country while the mobilization is underway

Immediately following Vladimir Putin's announcement this week of partial mobilization came reports that airline tickets from Russia were selling out in minutes.

In parallel with the mobilization now underway, the number of Russians leaving the country has increased.

In recent days, queues have been long at border crossings to Finland, Armenia and Georgia.

At the border crossing to Georgia near Russian Vladikavkaz, traffic queues stretched over eight kilometers on Saturday, writes the BBC with reference to map services from the Russian internet company Yandex.

- It is not about that we are afraid, it is about that we do not like this situation.

I don't really like what they are doing in Ukraine.

I feel sorry for our brothers in Ukraine.

I have many relatives there and I don't like this at all, says Maxim Khatuntsev, who crossed the border from Russia to Georgia. 

- I will try to find a job in Georgia, Alexander told the site to Euronews Georgia when he landed at Tbilisi airport.

Over 8,000 Russians to Finland - in one day

According to the Finnish border guard, 7,662 Russian citizens came to Finland across the country's eastern border on Saturday, reports Yle, who writes that another 700 Russians have come to Finland by other means in the past 24 hours.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania recently closed their borders to most Russians.

The restrictions also apply to Russians who have entry visas in the Schengen area, but there are exceptions, for example, for people who have EU citizens in their family or if there are humanitarian reasons.

Finland has also announced that stricter entry rules for Russians will be in place shortly.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this week that reports of plane tickets selling out are "exaggerated".

In connection with the statement, he refrained from denying that men arrested on Wednesday for protesting the mobilization had received orders to stop the Russian army.

Details: Russia will close the border

On Sunday, information came that Russia plans to close the borders to men of mobilization age.

That according to sources for the independent exile Russian newspaper Meduza.

According to one of the newspaper's sources, it is likely that the ban will be introduced on September 28 – after the so-called referendums have been carried out.

According to the sources, there will also be a requirement for permission from the military for all men to leave the country.