Tens of thousands of people are trying to find shelter in Kazakhstan as many leave Russia in response to the announcement of a partial troop enlistment order, according to officials.
However, there are no intentions to close the border by the Almaty government.
The sudden influx of Russians, almost 100,000, have crossed the border since the mobilisation announcement, the government said, has left hotels and hostels full and rent skyrocketing.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, whose administration has refused to support what Russia calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine, urged patience and tolerance.
“A lot of people from Russia have come here over the last few days,” he said in a speech on Tuesday.
“Most of them were forced to leave by the desperate situation.”
“We must take care of them and ensure their safety. This is a political and humanitarian matter,” Tokayev said.
Kazakhstan, home to a significant ethnic Russian minority and where the Russian language is spoken widely, does not require Russians to have a visa or a passport to enter the country.
