People with and without military experience are reportedly being recruited to participate in the ongoing war. Last week, President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization of reservists to join the fight.
has said that only about 300,000 people with prior combat or other military service would be called up, but reports have emerged from various Russian regions that recruiters were rounding up men outside that description. That fueled fears of a much broader call-up, sending droves of men of all ages and backgrounds to airports and border crossings.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered his government to assist Russians entering his country "because of the current hopeless situation." "We must take care of them and ensure their safety. It is a political and a humanitarian issue. I tasked the government to take the necessary measures," Tokayev said, adding that Kazakhstan will hold talks with Russia on the situation.