A group of approximately 20 women staged a protest outside Russia's Defense Ministry, kneeling to demand the return of their mobilized soldier husbands and sons from Ukraine. These women, who are relatives of men conscripted into the Russian army by President Vladimir Putin, have been conducting small-scale protests for months.
The protesters sought a meeting with Russia's new defense minister to request the return of their loved ones and to advocate for limits on soldiers' service duration before being granted leave. They also called for the replacement of conscripted soldiers with contract soldiers who have volunteered to serve.
Following several protests, Russian authorities labeled the group as a 'foreign agent,' a move often used to suppress dissent. Videos and photos circulated on social media depicted the women kneeling outside the Defense Ministry, some accompanied by school-age children and infants in strollers, holding banners with messages like 'Bring back dad.'
One woman who livestreamed the protest expressed concerns about potential detainment if journalists were present. Despite a police presence at the scene, the women eventually dispersed and returned home.
The post shared by the livestreamer suggested that resolving the issue required ending the conflict in Ukraine, halting misinformation, conducting a second wave of mobilization, or repatriating the conscripted men.
In response to setbacks in the war against Ukraine, Putin ordered a 'partial mobilization' of up to 300,000 reservists in September 2022. This decision led to a surge in individuals attempting to leave the country via flights and borders. To address public discontent, the Russian military has been recruiting more volunteers since late 2022, with approximately 500,000 men reportedly signing contracts with the Defense Ministry last year.
