Mikhail Lazutin, a top propagandist for Russian President Vladimir Putin, was spotted on Thursday near Russia’s border with Georgia, as men continue to flee an ordered partial mobilization.
Footage that appeared to show the pro-Kremlin blogger standing in line at a traffic jam at the border checkpoint in Verkhnii Lars on the Russian-Georgian border, was published on multiple Telegram channels.
Lazutin founded the “Lev Against” movement in 2014. The group, which urges citizens not to drink alcohol, smoke, or use foul language in public places, has received presidential grants worth 12.2 million rubles ($213,566), according to Russian media.
Newsweek has been unable to independently verify when or where the footage was filmed and has contacted the Russian and Georgian foreign ministries for comment.
Traffic built up at the Russian-Georgian border the morning after Putin announced a partial mobilization on September 21.
It comes amid mass exodus of Russians from the country, after defense officials said that as many as 300,000 reservists would be called up to fight in Ukraine.
This is a developing story and it will be updated.