No men in Moscow: Russians hide from authorities after mobilization ordered by Vladimir Putin

Many Russian men stay on the streets MoscowHiding from the authorities for fear of the recipient A Recruitment Notification behind Mobilization In September decreed by the President of Russia, the population Vladimir PutinFor military campaign Ukraine.

Although there are many more men in a city 12 million peopleTheir presence across the capital has been significantly reduced, particularly in restaurants and social gatherings such as dinners and parties The New York Times In a newspaper published this Wednesday.

“This is especially true among people Knowledgeable of the city, which usually has income and passports to travel abroad”, writes the New York newspaper.

Although exact figures are not available, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of men left the country after the mobilization announcement. According to the report, most have left in recent weeks to avoid the draft, or fear that Russia could close the borders if Putin declares martial law. NYT. These were added to those who had already left after rejecting the invasion or because of their opposition to the Kremlin, who feared imprisonment or repression.

Putin said Friday at least 220,000 citizens were employed. Most of them come from the peripheral and poor regions of the vast territory of the Russian Federation. On Monday, Moscow’s mayor announced that the mobilization in the capital had officially ended.

Alexey ErmilovThe founder of a popular barber shop said the men’s exodus was stark. Moscow Y St. Petersburg.

“We can see waves of mass migration in Moscow and St. Petersburg more than in other cities, for one reason There are too many people to go there.”Ermilov said. OliaThe manager of a barbershop, “Half the customers left”.

The lack of men in celebrity is also notorious Stoleshnikov Alley, one of Moscow’s nightlife areas. During the summer, it was full of trendy young Russians. Now on a Saturday night it was relatively empty.

Downloads, on the other hand Dating apps Russian men have risen sharply in the countries they fled to. In ArmeniaThe number of new registrations on the dating app, Mamba135 percent increase, said a company representative R.P.K, a Russian financial media outlet. In Georgia Y Turkey The rate of new downloads exceeded 110 percent Kazakhstan 32 percent increase.

Meanwhile, those who stayed amid the checkpoints of the authorities find it painful to move around the city.

“I try to drive everywhere because they can serve a search warrant on the street and next to the subway,” he said. NYT Alexander PerebelkinMarketing director and editor of fashion and culture publication.

Perebelkin said he stayed in Russia because he felt obligated to run the company with more than 100 employees. But now his offices are a reminder of the early months of the coronavirus pandemic for all those who were missing. said He and his allies don’t know what to do.

The Lack of men Due to mobilization also started beating economy. In the two weeks following the call, orders at Moscow restaurants for more than 1,500 rubles — about $25 — fell 29% compared to the same period a year earlier. SberbankRussia’s largest lender closed 529 branches in September alone, the newspaper said Commercial.

Local media also reported a large turnout Strip clubs Moscow has been cut by 60%, and there are fewer security guards because they have mobilized or fled.

At the same time, many married women stayed Moscow When their husbands ran away, or after getting a povestka -A recruitment notice- or before one arrives.

“I feel like we’re a women’s country now”I said NYT Stanislava, a 33-year-old photographer. “I was looking for boyfriends to help me move some furniture and realized they were all gone.”

Women whose husbands were forced to stay in Moscow also stayed. In cases like yours, Fearing that their husbands would not return alive.

“These men are like toys in the hands of children,” said Ekaterina, 27, whose husband, Vladimir, 25, was sent to a training camp outside Moscow. “They are just cannon fodder.”

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