Thousands of Russians who fear they will be called up to fight in Ukraine have joined an exodus across their borders. They are trying to flee into neighboring countries, not knowing whether they will be able to cross.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered 300,000 reservists to support what he calls the "special military operation." They've seen the losses their troops have suffered and don't want to suffer the same fate.

"This has scared many people," said one man who crossed on Monday into Georgia. "No one wants to go, to die. So, people are choosing to leave the country, practically to nowhere, in protest."

Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russian leaders had not decided on whether to close their borders. But leaders of some neighboring countries said people leaving Russia are not welcome.

Men of fighting age in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine worry they, too, could be called up. Voters in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia have taken part in referendums designed to secure the Russians' hold on those regions.

The exiled mayor of the city of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, said the last official route out had been closed. He said residents are frightened and panicking.

Officials in the US State Department say they're working to defend Ukrainians, their freedoms and their democracy. On Monday, they announced further aid of 457 million dollars to shore up law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. Part of that will go toward supporting investigations into war crimes.