Over 113,000 Russians Flee to Georgia Amid Draft Rumors

More than 113,000 Russian citizens crossed into Georgia via the Verkhny Lars checkpoint in a single week, driven by rumors of a new military mobilization. On Aug. 20 alone, over 20,000 people crossed the border. Armenia has also indicated it will welcome Russians fleeing the draft. The exodus follows reports of intensified Kremlin recruitment efforts and Ukrainian intelligence assessments predicting a 600,000-person mobilization wave across 2026 and 2027.