In love, married, drafted: In Russia, many couples marry shortly before being drafted into the army

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A last kiss before the unknown: The Russian reservist Andrej marries his partner Yulia on Monday - and both know that he will be drafted immediately afterwards.

Andrej, reservist: »We didn't plan it.

But because of the draft, we decided to register our marriage.

I have mixed feelings.

I'm afraid of the unknown, I'm feeling a lot at the moment.«

It's not the only last-minute wedding in the city of Bataisk - in addition to Andrei and Yulia, other couples quickly exchange vows shortly before the convocation.

The distances are short: the registry office is right next to the army recruiting office.

A few men here were caught overnight by draft orders.

Roman Khodakov, reservist: »I received the call-up notice yesterday.

A man came and gave it to me.

Mom wasn't happy, but what should we do?

We must defend our country.«

Yevgeniya Naboka, wife of a reservist: "It's scary."

Reporter: "What are you afraid of?"

Yevgeniya Naboka: »What everyone is afraid of.

The main thing is that he comes back alive and well.”

Others say they volunteer to fight for Russia in the Ukraine war – even though they are past the age of compulsory military service.

Nikolai Moiseyenko, reservist: »I have family and friends there.

We must help free them."

The conscription is not going as smoothly everywhere as in Bataysk: there were protests in dozens of cities against the mobilization and against Russia's attack on Ukraine.

In Yakutsk in East Siberia, for example, people demonstrated with traditional dances and songs.

Thousands of Russians have also fled to neighboring countries.

Long queues have been reported from the borders with Finland or Georgia.