Your trusted source

The number of Russians entering the European Union has jumped following a partial mobilisation ordered by Moscow, and illegal crossings are likely to increase if Russia closes its border for potential conscripts, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing EU border agency Frontex.

Following setbacks on the battlefield in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation on Sept 21, a move that sent thousands of Russians rushing to cross borders into neighbouring countries.

"Over the past week, nearly 66,000 Russian citizens entered the EU, more than 30% compared to the preceding week. Most of them arrived in Finland and Estonia," Frontex said in a statement, referring to the week from Sept 19 to Sept 25.

Frontex said that over the last four days alone, 30,000 Russian citizens had arrived in Finland.

The majority of Russians crossing into the EU hold residence permits, visas or have dual citizenship, it said.

"Frontex estimates that illegal border crossings are likely to increase if the Russian Federation decides to close the border for potential conscripts," the agency said, adding that, in the long term an increase of illegal stays by Russians in the EUwas also possible.

The 27-nation EU began discussing on Monday how to treat Russian draft dodgers but has found no agreement so far.