成人快手

Russia's defence ministry has revealed a host of occupations it says will be exempted from conscription. IT workers, bankers and journalists working for state media will escape the "partial mobilisation" announced by President Vladimir Putin on 21 September. However for many the risk of being drafted has meant making the difficult choice to leave the country.

Newshour spoke to one Russian man who fled to Uzbekistan to avoid being drafted. He says, "After Putin announced the mobilisation...we understood no time for waiting anymore."

On his three-day journey by bus he had to avoid customs officials, border guards and pay bribes. "There is a horrible situation on the border with the traffic jam... all bus give money to road police to make it in a quicker way." He has since been joined by his family and pet parrot who were also fortunate enough to escape. "We are ready for not returning for years" he adds.

(Photo: Russian men walk along a road after passing through customs at the Georgia-Russia border checkpoint of Verkhnii Lars. Credit: EPA-EFE/Rex/Shutterstock)

Show less