As masses flee Russia to avoid conscription, European neighbours grapple with whether to let them in

The chaos at Russia's borders is intensifying as hundreds of thousands of men try to get out of the country and avoid being dragged into fighting Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.

Some reports from border crossings with Georgia, Finland and other areas indicate Russian authorities moved Tuesday to stop — and then enlist — some of those trying to escape. The exodus is raising difficult questions in Europe and beyond about whether to welcome the draft dodgers, or turn them back in the hopes of creating more social unrest in Russia. 

Evgeny, a 28-year-old photographer from Moscow, says people such as him are victims, too.

"I think they should let Russians in," he told CBC News as he walked the last 20 kilometres to the Georgia-Russia border crossing at Verkhny Lars to avoid a huge traffic jam of vehicles trying to cross. 

"People are fleeing under very dire circumstances, many are saving their lives. (They) do not want to fight in this imperialistic, pointless war."

WATCH | Russians flee the country to avoid conscription:

When Russia first invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, Evgeny, who asked CBC News not to use his last name for his family's safety, said he participated in an anti-war demonstration in Moscow — but the experience left him demoralized.

"People were too scared. There were fully armed and very experienced policemen who knew well how to stop the protesters. Such protest rallies dissolve because people are frightened. And it's not something that gives you hope."

After that, he says he tried to carry on with his life until the possibility of getting drafted pushed him to take his chances at the border.

Other men interviewed by CBC News at the Russia-Georgia border crossing spoke of a similar dilemma about whether to leave or stay in Russia.

Alexander, who travelled from the Muslim-dominant region of Tatarstan, said he would have left long ago, except he had to stay to earn enough money to afford the trip. He said he either sold or gave away everything he owned to pay for the journey to Georgia and to have money to live on when he arrived.

"It is not possible to stay and fight this against our regime," said Alexander, who also asked CBC not to use his last name.

"If you have anything negative to say they will simply arrest you and put you in jail."

Novaya Gazeta, formerly Russia's leading independent newspaper and now publishing from exile in Latvia, reported Tuesday that Moscow police arrested one demonstrator and then raped him in jail to send a message to other protestors.