Russian Men On Yacht Docked In South Korea In Wake Of Putinвђ™s Draft Orders May 2026

In the wake of President Vladimir Putin's mobilization orders, dozens of Russian men attempted to flee the draft by sailing yachts to South Korea , only to be largely denied entry by local authorities.

While hundreds of thousands fled Russia via land and air to countries like Kazakhstan and Georgia, a small number chose the North Pacific route. In the wake of President Vladimir Putin's mobilization

: Vessels were spotted or docked at ports including Pohang , Sokcho , and the island of Ulleungdo . : At least 23 Russians aboard five yachts

: At least 23 Russians aboard five yachts reached South Korean waters in late 2022. Expand map Arrival Locations Contextual Locations : While

Despite arriving at South Korean ports, nearly all of the men were refused permission to disembark.

: As of April 2026, the South Korean Coast Guard continues to monitor the East Sea, occasionally ordering Russian vessels to port during bad weather. Expand map Arrival Locations Contextual Locations

: While Russians can typically enter South Korea visa-free with prior approval via the K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), most requests from these yacht passengers were rejected.