Russian airlines prohibit men aged 18-65 to buy tickets to prevent mass fleeing.

From the time President Vladimir Putin ordered partial mobilization in the country, there has been an air of frantic paranoia surrounding the nation. It is reported that almost all the one-way flights out of Russia to nearby cities have been booked for the foreseeable future.

President Putin addressed the nation proclaiming, “In order to protect our homeland, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity, to ensure the security of our people and people in the liberated territories, I consider it necessary to support the proposal of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff to conduct partial mobilization in the Russian Federation,”

Amidst all this chaos, President Putin has ordered Russian airlines to prohibit selling tickets to men aged 18-65, possibly preventing the mass fleeing of a sect of the country which is the most valuable in wartimes. Russia’s Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu himself claimed that as many as 3,00,000 men might be needed if the situation demands it.

This news comes not long after rumours of martial law being imposed in the country started making rounds. Under this law, only men approved by the Russian Defence Ministry can leave the country. This would not be surprising given the growing opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has been evident in the country.

Many citizens staged protests against the Putin Administration citing violation of human rights as the reason. So far, it is reported that 1,400 Russian citizens have been arrested in protests spawning over 38 cities.

While the Russian Federation is taking such extreme steps, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in his address to the United Nations General Assembly that he just demands punishment for the crimes that have been committed against Ukraine.

While President Zelenskyy’s address may have garnered attention and awareness on the matter, there is really not much that the UN can do since the Russian Federation holds a veto vote in the United Nations Security Council, the UN branch that deals with conflict resolution and war.

Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine have not slowed down, despite the substantial opposition both internally and internationally, as it recently reportedly launched nine missiles in Zaporizhzhia, a city in Ukraine successfully attacking a power station as well as a hotel and taking one life in the process.