A convoy of protestors has already started from central Tbilisi to Larsi checkpoint with Russia in northern Georgia, to demand the closure of the border for Russian nationals on the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the influx of Russian citizens following the announcement of partial mobilization in their country last week. 

The rally, with the participation of Ukrainian citizens, is scheduled at 15:00. 

Giga Lemonjava, a member of the Droa opposition party, said that “it is possible that people who were fighting against Georgia in the Russia-Georgia August 2008 war, are also entering the country”. 

"We believe that the Russian-Georgian border should be closed for Russian citizens, because after Putin's announcement of mobilization, citizens with military experience are entering Georgia, who may have participated in the fight against our citizens in 2008," Lemonjava said.

The Georgian Dream authorities claim that there is “no dramatic increase” in Russian visitors. 

The Interior Ministry has released the data of Russians entering and leaving Georgia, saying that 78,742 citizens of Russia entered Georgia and 62,120 left the country between September 17 and 26.