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‘I don’t want to shoot anybody’: war-averse Russians seek sanctuary in Georgia

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‘I don’t want to shoot anybody’: war-averse Russians seek sanctuary in Georgia


  • Georgia is widespread vacation spot for Russians fleeing draft
  • Russians reaching Georgia say they do not wish to kill individuals
  • They are saying draft is sweeping up individuals who must be exempted
  • Georgians apprehensive about such a big, fast inflow
  • Russia fought temporary struggle with Georgia in 2008

TBILISI, Oct 10 (Reuters) – Igor Tikhiy, a 49-year-old advertising skilled, has a easy reply to the query of why he fled to Georgia final week, crossing the border in the dark on his bicycle.

“I do not wish to shoot anyone. That is why I am right here.”

He’s one in every of hundreds of Russian males who’ve left their nation since President Vladimir Putin introduced a nationwide mobilisation drive in a bid to recruit new manpower for Moscow’s struggle on Ukraine.

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In keeping with the mobilisation legal guidelines handed by the Kremlin and reassurances by officers, Igor’s age ought to imply he isn’t topic to the draft.

“In Russia, what’s written down is one factor however what they really do is one other. There are 50 year-olds being despatched to the entrance. I do not wish to be amongst them,” he instructed Reuters in an interview within the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

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“I noticed recruiters coming to my constructing with draft papers. I do not wish to be round to search out out if they’re coming for me,” he added.

After Putin ordered mobilisation, Igor, who lived in Moscow, packed his luggage – and his bike – and flew to the southern Russian metropolis of Vladikavkaz, some 32 km (20 miles) from the border with Georgia. Crossing in the course of the night time to keep away from heavy queues, he then took a taxi some three hours south to Tbilisi, the Georgian capital.

It’s a journey travelled by tens of hundreds of Russians within the first weeks of Russia’s chaotic mobilisation.

Alexey, a 33-year-old who works in media, spent six days queuing in his automobile on the Russian facet of the border. He did not sleep for the primary 48 hours for concern of shedding his place.

“It was a tricky choice to go away, I considered it for a very long time. However I realised if I did not go away proper now I’d by no means be capable of. Russia may shut the borders,” he stated.

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Rumours of border closures have swirled round Moscow for weeks, denied by the Kremlin however considered by many as credible.

Alexey stated he thought-about abandoning his automobile and crossing on foot or bike, the place the traces the place shorter. Native media experiences say dozens of automobiles needed to be moved by police after their house owners ditched them close to the border.

“I do not wish to go to struggle. I do not wish to struggle towards a brotherly nation,” Alexey stated of his motive for leaving.

FROSTY RECEPTION

On the streets of Tbilisi, the most recent inflow of Russians right into a metropolis of simply 1 million is clear.

Giant queues have fashioned exterior banks and outlets promoting SIM playing cards, whereas cafes are dotted with younger Russian males scouring AirBnB for a spot to remain.

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What number of will stay and for the way lengthy is an open query. For many who can’t work remotely, discovering a neighborhood job will probably be powerful and housing prices have rocketed, say volunteers serving to Russians to acclimatise.

Previous to mobilisation, greater than 45,000 Russians had already opened financial institution accounts in Georgia this 12 months, central financial institution knowledge reveals – greater than doubling the variety of Russian-held accounts within the nation within the area of simply six months.

The arrivals have stoked a mini financial growth, with an additional 1.2 billion Georgian lari ($430 million) flooding into Georgia by means of cross-border transfers, says the Institute for the Improvement of Freedom of Data, a Georgian think-tank.

However for some locals, there’s a feeling of apprehension.

Ex-Soviet Georgia and Russia fought a brief struggle in 2008 over Abkhazia and South Ossetia – two areas internationally recognised as a part of Georgia however below the management of Russian-backed separatists.

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The 2 international locations nonetheless don’t have any formal diplomatic relations and Georgian society was fiercely anti-Russian earlier than Putin invaded Ukraine.

Some Georgian activists need their authorities to limit Russian arrivals or shut the border altogether. Underneath Georgia’s liberal immigration guidelines, Russians can successfully keep within the nation indefinitely and not using a visa.

Round 300 individuals attended an anti-Russia protest exterior Georgia’s parliament final Friday.

“They are often like a mine – an explosive – which can be utilized anytime by Putin,” stated protester Tsotne Japaridze.

Many Russians, together with Igor and Alexey, say they’re towards the struggle and wish to combine into Georgian society, however locals are sceptical.

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“Even when we imagine that each one the Russians coming right here oppose Putin… it is nonetheless an issue,” stated Lana Ghvinjilia on the protest.

“That is an inflow of Russian tradition, which we have been attempting to liberate (ourselves from) over the past 30 years.”

($1 = 2.79 Georgian Lari)

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Reporting by David Chkhikvishvili and Jake Cordell; enhancing by Man Faulconbridge and Gareth Jones

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.

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Georgia

Three-Star Edge Carrington Coombs Commits to Georgia Tech, Bumps Yellow Jackets Up to No. 22 Nationally In Rankings

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Three-Star Edge Carrington Coombs Commits to Georgia Tech, Bumps Yellow Jackets Up to No. 22 Nationally In Rankings


Georgia Tech had a great weekend recruiting last weekend and they have got the ball rolling again tonight with the commitment of Carrington Coombs, a three-star edge who plays at Hebron Christian Academy in Georgia. Coombs is now the 13th commitment in the 2025 class for Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech’s class now ranks 22nd in the country and 4th in the ACC, behind only Clemson, Syracuse and Stanford. The Yellow Jackets average recruit rank is an 87.44, higher than either Syracuse and Stanford and only trails Clemson, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, and SMU.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Coombs is a three-star player, the No. 625 player in the country, the No. 68 linebacker in the country, and the No. 69 player in the state of Georgia.

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Other offers that Coombs held were Boston College, Kansas State, Liberty, Virginia, Oklahoma State, USF, and App State, among others. Here are some other news and noteworthy stats about Coombs courtesy of 247Sports:

Also plays basketball.

2023: Two-way snaps for Dacula (Ga.) Hebron Christian Academy, helping lead the Lions to a 6-5 record and first round berth in the GHSA 3A playoffs. Totaled 41 tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble as a junior along with two catches for 23 yards on offense.

Georgia Tech is off to a really good start to the month and they should only be getting better. Brent Key has done a great job of getting guys on campus and being able to land them.

2025 Georgia Tech commitments

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Four-Star Offensive Lineman Justin Hasenhuetl

Three-Star defensive end Andre Fuller

Three-star quarterback Grady Adamson

Three-star offensive lineman Jimmy Bryson

Three-star Safety Rasean Dinkins

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Three-star Running Back JP Powell

Three-Star Safety Fenix Felton

Three-Star Athlete Jamauri Brice

Three-Star Tight end Connor Roush

Three-star offensive lineman Kevin Peay

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Four-Star Cornerback Dalen Penson

Three-Star Wide Receiver Sam Turner

Three-Star Edge Carrington Coombs





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Georgia DNR's Coastal Resources Division completes three artificial reef additions

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Georgia DNR's Coastal Resources Division completes three artificial reef additions


There are new additions to Reef JY off St. Catherines Island, Reef SAV near Tybee Island, and Reef HLHA east of Little Cumberland Island. These aim to enhance marine habitats and support local biodiversity.

The Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources recently completed three significant additions to Georgia’s offshore artificial reefs. 

CRD’s Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Unit conducted these deployments to enhance marine habitats and support local biodiversity. All materials were thoroughly cleaned and inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard prior to deployment. 

The 62-foot tug Sarah Katlin was deployed to Reef JY on May 31, situated 17 nautical miles east of St. Catherines Island. This deployment aims to create new habitats for marine life and support the local fishing community. The vessel sank in 68 feet of water at 31.60667°N, 80.79922°W (31°36.400’N, 80°47.953’W).

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Following this, on June 5, approximately 63 tons of concrete blocks previously used by the U.S. Coast Guard to anchor aids to navigation were added to Reef SAV about 6 nautical miles east of Tybee Island. These materials provide essential structure for various marine species, promoting ecological diversity and sustainability. The blocks were placed by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Willow (WLB-202), a seagoing buoy tender, in 41 feet of water at 31.92138°N, 80.78621°W (31°55.283’N, 80°47.173’W).

The final deployment occurred June 6, when the 50-foot tug G.A. Franklin was added to Reef HLHA, 23 miles east of Little Cumberland Island. This addition further expands the available habitats for fish and other marine organisms, contributing to the overall health of Georgia’s coastal ecosystems. The Franklin went down in 76 feet of water at 30.98958°N, 80.95315°W (30°59.375’N, 80°57.189’W).

The Savannah ABC affiliate WJCL-TV joined CRD for the deployment of the G.A. Franklin. The station aired an informative story highlighting the meticulous process of cleaning and preparing reef materials for deployment, ensuring environmental safety and effectiveness.

“We are very happy with the success of these reef deployments,” said Paul Medders, CRD’s Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Unit lead. “Artificial reefs play a crucial role in enhancing marine habitats, supporting fish populations, and boosting recreational fishing opportunities. These additions will provide long-term benefits for our coastal environment and community. While the reef materials are man-made, the organisms that will find a home here are totally natural.”

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G.A. Franklin sinking. DNR photo by Tyler Jones.The Coastal Conservation Association Georgia, a CRD partner, provided financial support to make the reef deployments possible. Members of the public can also show their support for artificial reef creation by purchasing the “Support Fish Habitat” license plate (Code “NR”) at their local tag office. This eye-catching tag features the state saltwater fish, the red drum, and costs just $25 more annually than a standard tag.

The CRD remains committed to conserving and enhancing Georgia’s coastal resources for present and future generations. For more information about the artificial reef program and other conservation initiatives, please visit CoastalGaDNR.org/HERU.

About the Coastal Resources Division

The mission of the Coastal Resources Division is to balance coastal development and protection of the coast’s natural assets, socio-cultural heritage and recreational resources for the benefit of present and future generations.





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Georgia Department of Public Health closing all remaining COVID-19 community testing sites – 41NBC News | WMGT-DT

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Georgia Department of Public Health closing all remaining COVID-19 community testing sites – 41NBC News | WMGT-DT


COVID-19 testing kiosks are now located throughout the state.
(Photo Credit: Taylor Gilchrist/41NBC)

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –

PCR testing though Georgia Department of Public Health will end operations July 1.

Michael Hokanson, the public information officer for the department’s North Central Health District, says there are still many ways to get tested for COVID-19 should you need to.

“There are other opportunities as well through other medical providers, pharmacies, things of that nature,” he said. “But we want to make sure that if anybody has any reasonable expectation for testing it is still available, just not the PCR Testing at that site.”

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COVID-19 testing kiosks are now located throughout the state. For more information, click here.





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