jackk > How many more people is he going to send to their deaths for a war that he is losing?
Apparently, many nearby countries are not accepting people fleeing the draft. This is a very Rosh Hashonish question: what is a real teshuva?
These Russians were comfortable going to work while their country is attacking the neighbors, but are planning to flee when they personally are affected. So, is this teshuva mi’ira? Is it accepted or dismissed as self-serving? Some apparently fled when the war started but then came back as draft did not appear likely.
Maybe the safest way for the draftees is to get to the other side and fight for Ukraine – then they have a higher chance to survive. Although, they will be tortured if caught. Maybe, they should promise Ukraine that they’ll work somewhere far from the front and then ask neighbors to let them proceed on a bus directly to Ukraine.