Russians Weigh Flight as 2nd Draft Rumors Stoke Anxiety in Moscow
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 5
Russians Weigh Flight as 2nd Draft Rumors Stoke Anxiety in Moscow
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 5
Summary
A possible second mobilization has become a fixture of daily life in Russia, with draft rumors again rattling Moscow and pushing some men to consider leaving or hiding.
Eradzh, a 36-year-old entrepreneur, used an AI assistant to gauge his draft risk, then booked a cheap flight to Cyprus and plans to stay away from Moscow for at least two months.
His calculation reflects a wider fear that Russia has burned through tens of thousands of volunteer soldiers in Ukraine while gaining little territory and failing to secure progress in negotiations.
The anxiety centers on the prospect of a new forced call-up after Russia's first mobilization wave began in September 2022, underscoring how the war continues to shape civilian life far from the front.