Almost 66,000 Russians entered the EU last week, September 19-25, according to data from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). This is 30 percent more than the previous week.
The number of Russians leaving Russia for the EU increased especially last week after the announcement of partial mobilization. Almost 66,000 Russian citizens entered the EU last week, September 19-25, according to Frontex, up 30 percent from the previous seven days. Moreover, most of them entered the EU through Finnish and Estonian border crossings, Schengenvisainfo explained. In Finland alone, a total of 30,000 applications made by our compatriots have been registered in the last week. Frontex noted that the majority of Russians who entered the EU had residence permits or visas to EU member states, and some others held dual citizenship. EU member states also reported the entry of Ukrainian citizens through the Russian Federation.
In total, since the beginning of Russia's special operation in Ukraine, 1,303,000 Russian citizens have entered the European Union through its land borders. Whereas only 1,273,000 Russians returned via the same route to Russia during this period.
In addition to the above, the agency believes that the number of illegal border crossings is likely to increase if Russia decides to close the border to potential conscripts. According to observers, in the short term, there will be an increase in the number of Russians arriving at border crossing points with the EU due to the panic that arose after the announcement of the mobilization.
Long term, it has been noted that the EU may register an increase in illegal border crossings at its external border crossings with Russia and Ukraine and an increase in the illegal stay in the EU of Russian citizens who are already present in Member States.
< p> Let's remind, on September, 19th four EU countries adjoining Russia – Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland – have already entered restrictions for citizens of Russia. Last Monday, they closed the border for our fellow citizens and said they would no longer issue them Schengen visas.
In addition, the Baltic countries said that they would not provide asylum to Russians fleeing military mobilization. At the same time, Slovakia joined the list of countries that refuse to issue humanitarian visas to Russians fleeing mobilization – details here.
Earlier, Turprom wrote that “Bulgaria, Latvia, Romania, Poland and the United States called on their citizens leave Russia urgently by all available means.”