The number of Russians who entered the European Union decreased by 20% last week compared to the previous week due to new restrictions introduced in EU countries, Frontex announced on Wednesday, quoted by AFP.

According to the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency, from September 26 to October 2, almost 53,000 Russian citizens entered the EU, of which 29,000 – via Finland, 8,877 – via Estonia, and 8,536 – via Poland via Ukraine.

“Visa policy restrictions from the European side and measures taken by Russia to prevent mobilized people who want to leave their country should increasingly limit the arrival of Russian citizens to the EU,” Frontex said.

Poland and the Baltic states have imposed draconian restrictions on Russians as part of sanctions agreed this year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Illegal entries would increase if the Russian Federation decided to close its borders to potential recruits,” the agency added.

Since the announcement of “partial” military mobilization in the country on September 21, more than 200,000 people have been mobilized to the ranks of the Russian army to fight in Ukraine.

The mobilization caused widespread concern in Russia and opposition protests in some regions. It also forced tens of thousands of men to leave the country in a hurry to avoid conscription.

Kazakhstan announced on Tuesday that more than 200,000 Russians had crossed its border in the past two weeks.

On September 30, the European Commission asked member states to strengthen visas for Russians and strengthen border controls.

The EU had a visa facilitation agreement with Russia, but its validity was suspended. Issuance and cancellation of visas are the responsibility of the Member States.