(ANSA) - ROME, SEPTEMBER 21 - Almost all flights departing from Russia were sold out in a few hours after Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of reservists.
The Guardian writes.
Google Trends data showed a surge in searches for Aviasales, Russia's most popular website for purchasing flights, after the Russian president's announcement raised concerns that 'skilled' fighting men might not leave the country.
According to Aviasales, flights from Moscow to Georgia, Turkey and Armenia - destinations that allow Russians to enter unseen - were sold out within minutes of Putin's announcement.
Within hours, direct flights from Moscow to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan also stopped appearing on the website.
Some connecting routes, including the one from Moscow to Tbilisi, were also not available.
The cheapest flights from Moscow to Dubai cost more than 300,000 rubles (almost 5,000 euros), about five times the average monthly wage.
(HANDLE).