Long Lines at Georgian Border to Avoid Mobilization, North Ossetia Restricts Car Entry

Illustration of Russia's - Georgia border. (Wikimedia Commons/Kober)

JAKARTA - The Russian federal republic of North Ossetia on Wednesday imposed restrictions on cars arriving from other parts of the country, as the exodus of military-aged men led to queues of more than 3,000 vehicles at the region's Verkhny Lars crossing point to Georgia.

North Ossetia Governor Sergei Menyailo said the ban was imposed after 20,000 people crossed the border in two days, with many more still in line.

"We will not physically be able to guarantee order and security if this flow continues to develop", he said on Telegram.

Menyailo said the ban would not apply to residents or tourists, or cars entering from Georgia or the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

Tens of thousands of men of military age have left Russia since President Vladimir Putin announced a military mobilization last week to increase his troops in Ukraine.

Georgia, which allows Russians to live without a visa for a year, has become one of the most popular destinations.

However, there are no direct flights between Russia and Georgia. Verkhny Lars, crossing a remote mountain pass, is the only operational crossing point between them.

Earlier, the North Ossetian authorities on Tuesday announced the creation of a temporary conscription office in Verkhny Lars, which will issue a draft provision for reserves barred from leaving Russia under a mobilization order.