Fear of martial law ignites a wave of Russian exodus
Thousands of Russians are rushing to flee the country before this weekend, as rumors circulate that Vladimir Putin may soon declare martial law, close borders, and crackdown more strictly on internal dissent.
As the humanitarian situation in Ukraine is devastating, widespread suffering is quickly reaching Russia's doorstep.
The independent observatory OVD-Info reported that more than 8,000 people have already been arrested in the anti-war protests since February 24.
Russia's State Duma has passed a law punishing the dissemination of "false news" about the Russian military with up to 15 years in prison.
The last pillars of Russia's already limited independent press were forced to shut down under pressure from the Kremlin this week.
Russia's state communications watchdog has blocked the websites of the BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Deutsche Welle, and other foreign media to spread "false" information.
What to watch: Russia's second-largest airline has announced it will halt all international flights from tomorrow, as Russia's upper house of parliament meets for an emergency session that many fear will mark the beginning of a new Iron Curtain.
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