Russians and Ukrainians are traveling to Mexico, buying cheap cars and driving them across the US...

An increasing number of Russians and Ukrainians fleeing political repression and war are traveling to Mexico, buying "throwaway cars" and driving to the US border to seek asylum, Reuters reports.

Customs and Border Protection data only show figures up to January before Russia invaded Ukraine, but they were already growing rapidly. The war could well encourage greater numbers to make the journey.

US border officials encountered about 6,400 Russians in the four months between October 2021 and January this year, CBP data show, said Reuters. It compares with approximately 4,100 apprehended during the entire 2021 fiscal year, which ended September 30. There was also a significant increase for Ukrainians, with just over 1,000 apprehended between October 2021 and January, compared to about 680 for the last fiscal year.