Grigol Gegelia, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia - Lelo opposition coalition, stated that the country's authorities must respond to the possible increase in the number of Russian citizens crossing into Georgia through the Upper Lars checkpoint. According to him, "tens of thousands of Russians have flocked" to the border in search of "new refuge," including amid reports of a possible mobilization in Russia.

Gegelia claims that information about the increase in the flow comes from various sources, including open Russian data. He also cited a Politico report about possible plans for a new mobilization.
According to the politician, the increase in migration could create "a whole series of threats" for Georgia. The opposition, he noted, proposed that the authorities reconsider their approach to this issue several years ago.

Gegelia recalled that in 2021, Lelo – Strong Georgia presented the "Act on the Protection of Georgia," which proposed strengthening controls on migration flows and revising visa policy. He stated that the country's current entry regime is "absolutely inadequate," and migration policy must take into account national security, demographic priorities, and the interests of peace in the region. However, the opposition leader asserts that the authorities have failed to take the necessary measures.

Gegelia sharply criticized the ruling party, calling it a "vassal regime" that, in his opinion, serves Russia's interests.

"This regime has never served the Georgian people," he stated.

Russian authorities have indeed recorded an increase in passenger traffic through the Upper Lars checkpoint. As previously reported by the press service of the head of North Ossetia, over 113,000 people and over 33,000 vehicles crossed the Russian-Georgian border through the checkpoint in the past week. This was in reference to the total number of crossings in both directions.

On August 18, the Russian Federal Customs Service reported a record daily passenger flow through Verkhniy Lars – over 20,000 people. The agency subsequently updated its data: by the following morning, over 16,000 people had crossed the border, of which approximately 8,500 were heading into Russia, and over 7,500 were leaving the country.

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs then denied reports of a mass influx of Russians. According to the agency, 7,880 Russian citizens entered the country that day, and 8,406 left.

Amid the increased flow across the Russian-Georgian border, speculation has arisen that some Russians may be leaving the country due to fears of a new wave of mobilization.