Thousands are said to be trying to reach the United States to claim political asylum and avoid being forced to fight in the war with Ukraine. US immigration lawyers have reportedly been overwhelmed with requests from Russian men and their families asking if America will grant them political protection following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Record numbers of Russian citizens have already been crossing into the US from Mexico to claim political asylum in recent months, according to the Telegraph, in response to Putin’s increasingly brutal crackdown on opposition.

Immigration lawyers said they expect the numbers will “sky rocket” following the invasion of Ukraine, particularly from military age men who fear they will be conscripted into the army to fight Ukrainians.