After Russia announced a partial mobilization on September 21, Russians who do not want to be recruited fled to neighboring countries, particularly Georgia. The long line of vehicles at Verkhny Lars, Russia’s only border crossing point with Georgia, also hampered procedures at the checkpoint.
The trucks, which leave from various cities in Turkey on their way to Russia, make deliveries through Georgia. Hundreds of trucks, however, remained at the border following Russia’s partial mobilization announcement. Truck drivers who arrived in Georgia and wanted to cross into Russia formed long lines from Tbilisi’s exit to the entrance of the Gudauri district, which is about 80 kilometers from the Verkhny Lars Border Gate. Aside from Turkish trucks, trucks from Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia have been waiting for about 8 days to cross the border.