According to the Russian security service FSB, 261,000 men left Russia in the first four days after the decision on mobilization.

Over 8,000 Russians crossed the border into Finland on Saturday, reports Yle.

Four people lacked entry permits and were arrested by Finnish police.

They have now applied for asylum in Finland.

The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Association wants Sweden and the EU to extend the mass migration directive, which gives Ukrainians protection in the EU, to also apply to Russian war refusers.

Does not count as a protective reason

The refusal of war in itself is legally not considered a reason for protection, even if the asylum seeker risks being punished in the home country.

But for Russian conscientious objectors, who can prove that they were conscripted, there may be special circumstances.

- I make the assessment that Russian war refusers in the circumstances we have right now have a pretty good chance of getting asylum in the EU.

This is because if a person refuses to participate in a war that is considered illegal, a war of aggression contrary to international law, then it is a reason to get refugee status in the EU, says Bernd Parusel, who researches the EU's migration policy at Sieps.

The EU is divided on the issue

But the EU countries are divided.

Leading politicians in Germany urge Russian war refusers to seek asylum in the country.

While countries such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have closed the door to Russians fleeing the mobilization.

- It has been argued that Russians are responsible for what the Russian regime does and that they do not want to help them leave the country, says Parusel.

Even if the EU would welcome Russian war refusers, it is currently difficult for Russians to obtain entry visas.

And according to the Russian independent news site Meduza, the country plans to close the borders to men of military age on September 28.