The mobilization led to great dissatisfaction in Russia and many left the country to flee.
Many therefore left their families to avoid joining the armed forces. After several countries started introducing restrictions on issuing Schengen visas to Russians, it became more difficult for Russians to travel out of the country.
Low taxes and easy immigration
The extra 300,000 troops were supposed to replace the many who were killed in the battles of the war that lasted more than seven months.
– It would be the end for Putin
Those who chose the land route plotted the route to Finland, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Armenia. Others arrived on a flight to Turkey or Serbia, where Russians don’t need a visa to enter. Recently, it was also reported that two Russians arrived by boat on a remote island off the west coast of Alaska. They are said to have traveled from Siberia to Russia’s far east for fear of being recalled, NTB writes.
Another country where a visa is not required to enter is Cyprus. As one of the EU countries located further east, it has long been a dream destination for Russian companies and kingdoms who see the advantage in an easy immigration process, low taxes and a country that warmly welcomes foreign investors.
– Most Ukrainians and Russians
Most of the highly educated Russian workers, mainly upper-middle-class computer scientists, have now fled to Cyprus. He writes The Washington Post.
– We have not seen any change in the politics of Cyprus, Oleg Reshetnikov tells the newspaper.
– I attacked Norway
He moved to Cyprus in 2014 and created the CypRus_IT company, a networking community for thousands of Russian-speaking specialists.
– Cyprus is still one of the best places for immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, he continues.
It estimates that up to 50,000 people have moved to Cyprus since the outbreak of the war in February, most of them Russian and Ukrainian.
– Double prices
Most of these settle in Limassol, also known as “Limassolgrad”. According to the American newspaper, you can hear Russian everywhere, as the Russian community is growing large.
– Seen as treason
Most of those who arrived in the country after the mass mobilization had to settle in less frequented places in Larnaca or Nicosia.
– There were already serious problems with obtaining accommodation when I moved here. Prices have doubled, says Yevgenia Korneeva.
She moved to Cyprus from Moscow in April.
– In Limassol, the most expensive city in Cyprus, you are considered lucky if you find a one-bedroom apartment for less than 2,000 euros (just under 21,000 Norwegian kroner, ed), he says.
