President Putin’s military call-up to fight in Ukraine | More than 20 Russians flee, sail to South Korea; most refused entry
The Hindu
South Korean media reported that at least 21 Russians had arrived aboard yachts at ports in the south of the country, but only two had been granted entry, while others were refused as authorities deemed their purpose "ambiguous".
Desperate to avoid military call-up to fight in Ukraine, more than 20 Russians have sailed in yachts from North Pacific ports to South Korea, but most have been refused entry, according to a media report.
There has been an exodus of conscription-age men from Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilisation on September 21, but most fled by road, rail and air to Europe, and neighbouring former Soviet Union countries, such as Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
A dangerous moment: On Vladimir Putin’s troop mobilisation
On October 11, South Korean broadcaster KBS reported that at least 21 Russians had arrived aboard yachts at ports in the south of the country, but only two had been granted entry, while others were refused as authorities deemed their purpose "ambiguous".
A yacht with five Russian men aboard departed on Tuesday from the South Korean island of Ulleung, having arrived there on September 30 after sailing from the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok, a coast guard official told Reuters on Wednesday.
The official said the yacht was "taking cover from bad weather" and the people aboard had received food and other aid, but he declined to specify why they were not granted entry, referring immigration-related queries to the Justice Ministry.
KBS reported that three yachts had docked in the southeastern port city of Pohang over the past several days, mostly carrying Russian men in their 20-30s.
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