World News for Students of English

04-10-2024 15:00

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of Russians are estimated to have left their country.

In September 2022, President Putin announced a military mobilization. Though the government called it partial, in reality, it meant that most men could be drafted to fight in the war. As a result, many families fled the country, causing long waits at the borders with Georgia and Kazakhstan.

Some who left are outspoken critics of the Kremlin, fearing they could be targeted next. Alexei Navalny, a well-known opposition leader, died under suspicious circumstances, and many believe he was poisoned by the Russian state, highlighting the risks dissidents face.

Difficult words: mobilization (preparing and organizing troops for active service), outspoken (expressing strong opinions very directly), dissident (a person who strongly disagrees and publicly criticizes a government).

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