One-way flights out of Russia sell out after Putin orders partial call-up

Direct flights from Moscow to Istanbul in Turkey and Yerevan in Armenia, both destinations that allow Russians to enter without a visa, were sold out on Wednesday, according to Aviasales data

The Kremlin declined to comment on whether the borders would be closed to those subject to the mobilisation order and asked people to be patient as the law is clarified. Picture: Russian Presidential Press Service via AP

One-way flights out of Russia were rocketing in price and selling out fast on Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin ordered the immediate call-up of 300,000 reservists.

Mr Putin's announcement, made in an early-morning television address, raised fears that some men of fighting age would not be allowed to leave the country.