Russians could leave way easier than Ukrainians, though.
Meanwhile men in Ukraine can be mobilized on the street and good luck leaving the country
Fucked situation all around. I want to blame Russians as the only ones responsible for that, I guess. (As in they started this. Not saying Ukraine is crystal clear with many issues they have with the army, but still I can't blame them.)
I'm Pole, so it's more personal for me. Knowing if I was born a bit more to the East, I'd be awaiting my death (and in agony).
And as a Pole you of course know that Putin's "there are our people there we want to liberate" is the same logic Russia used to invade Poland before. Twice
that is only and purely on Russia and I cannot argue otherwise in good faith
This isn't entirely true. A friend of mine (who works in IT) got drafted. In 3 days he ended up getting a pregnancy certificate faked, so he and his girlfriend could get legally married quickly (for immigration options elsewhere) - and fled the country.
The draft is unequal, they are concerned about their IT worker shortage. The majority of drafting is happening in impoverished areas of the country, and ethnic minorities. Often people think they'll just be doing a driving job or something, and end up in combat. But nobody is truly safe. Your friend is taking a large gamble by visiting.
mobilization is not the same as mandatory draft. draft it still applies to all including IT workers just like before the war. But you are "not home" to get the povestka you are fine. Also almost everyone seems to have some sort of exemption via employment or whatever. No one snatches people on the streets or when exiting the country like in Ukraine
I don't think I heard of anyone drafted to war but I know many russians knowingly went to war to make money on contract basis (which is also not the same as mandatory draft).
Now if mobilization happens they would be more aggressive but as I say IT workers are officially exempt from it.