Emigration searches surged as relocation inquiries nearly doubled Russian citizens made a record number of trips to Georgia, Armenia and Serbia between July and September amid fears that the Kremlin could launch a new wave of military mobilization for its war in Ukraine. Over 1.1 million trips to the three countries were recorded during the three-month period, the highest figure for the corresponding quarter in 17 years, according to data from the Border Service of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) cited by independent Russian outlet Verstka. The three countries have become popular destinations for Russians leaving since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, including those seeking to avoid military service or opposed to the war. Travel figures break records Georgia, a South Caucasus country bordering Russia, recorded the largest number of trips, with 660,300 by Russian citizens between July and September. That was 43,300 more than in the same period of 2025 and 43% above the figure recorded in the third quarter of 2022, when Russia announced its mobilization. Neighboring Armenia registered 402,300 trips by Russians, up from 344,700 a year earlier and the highest quarterly figure in records dating back to 2010. Serbia, a Balkan country outside the EU that maintains close ties with Moscow, recorded 64,800 trips, about 14,000 more than a year earlier. The figure also surpassed its previous quarterly record of 53,200, set in 2024. However, the FSB figures cover trips by Russian citizens regardless of their purpose. They do not establish how many people relocated long-term or left because of the war. Russians search for ways out The rise in travel coincided with a sharp increase in online searches about leaving Russia. In July, searches on Yandex, a Russian search engine, for information about emigration reached their highest level since early 2023. These included searches for visa-free relocation destinations, according to The Moscow Times. Relokats, a project assisting Russians with relocation, also reported that inquiries about moving abroad had nearly doubled. Rumors of another military call-up The surge in travel coincided with warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who claimed in late July that Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing another mobilization involving between 300,000 and 500,000 people. Zelenskyy said Russia had struggled to recruit enough contract soldiers to replace battlefield losses, potentially forcing the Kremlin to turn to another mass call-up. Verstka, citing sources with links to the Kremlin and other state institutions, also reported that Russian authorities were discussing the possibility of another mobilization after September’s elections to the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament.
The rise in travel coincided with a sharp increase in online searches about leaving Russia. (Getty Images/ Anadolu)
