Russians paying £25,000 for seats on private planes after war mobilisation

Passengers heading to Armenia and Turkey amid fears Russia could soon close borders to men of fighting age

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Demand for seats on private jets has boomed in Moscow after Vladimir Putin ordered the first mobilisation since the second world war and wealthy Russians look for a way out of the country amid reports that authorities plan to close the borders to men of mobilisation age.

Passengers are said to be predominantly heading to Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, which allow Russians visa-free entry. They are paying between 20,000 and 25,000 for a seat on a private plane, while the price to rent an eight-seater jet ranges from 80.000 to 140,000, which is many times more expensive than the normal fare.