Montenegro holiday becomes escape from Russian call-up

STORY: Speaking to Reuters in Montenegro's Adriatic town of Budva on Monday (September 26), Alexander, 30, a horticulturist, said he had no plans to head home and risk being drafted for the war in Ukraine.

Both he and his wife said they would not reveal their full names.

For the mobilization effort, Russian officials have said 300,000 troops are needed, with priority given to people with recent military experience and vital skills.

But reports have surfaced of men with no military experience or past draft age receiving call-up papers, adding to outrage and anti-war demonstrations.