In a tense protest in central Moscow on Saturday, over two dozen people, predominantly journalists, were detained as wives and relatives of Russian servicemen mobilized to demand the return of their loved ones involved in the conflict in Ukraine.
This demonstration, organized by the campaign group ‘The Way Home,’ marked 500 days since Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a “partial mobilization” of reservists in response to setbacks in Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
The Protest and Pleas
The relatives, primarily wives, gathered at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Kremlin walls to lay flowers and voice their demand for the return of the reservists. The mobilization, ordered in September 2022, prompted widespread unpopularity, leading to hundreds of thousands fleeing the country to avoid conscription.
The Way Home called for unity among the families, emphasizing their collective plea for the safe return of their husbands, sons, and brothers.
One protester, identified as Antonina, expressed her desperation for the return of her husband, stating, “We want our husbands back alive.” She emphasized that she did not seek compensation if her husband were killed, suggesting that she would choose to join him, highlighting the emotional toll on the families involved.
The protest, the ninth and largest organized by The Way Home, garnered support from allies of incarcerated Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and opposition politician Maksim Kats.
However, the Moscow prosecutor’s office issued warnings against participating in “unauthorized mass events.” Authorities detained 27 people during the protest, mostly journalists, according to OVD-Info, but the majority were released.
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Russian Military’s Recruitment Amid Public Discontent and Pleas
The Russian military, recognizing public discontent, has been actively enlisting volunteers to bolster forces in Ukraine.
However, the families’ calls to bring back mobilized reservists have faced resistance in government-controlled media, with some pro-Kremlin figures attempting to portray them as Western collaborators.
The protest occurs just weeks before the Russian presidential election, scheduled for March 15-17, where Putin is expected to secure victory. After laying flowers at the monument, the families proceeded to Putin’s campaign headquarters to present their demands. Last month, a presidential hopeful, Boris Nadezhdin, criticized the decision to keep soldiers in the ranks as long as the conflict persists, urging authorities to treat those serving their duty more decently.
As tensions persist, the voices of these families, determined to bring their loved ones home, add a poignant layer to the broader narrative of Russia’s military involvement in Ukraine. The emotional toll on the families and their continued advocacy bring attention to the complex and personal dimensions of the conflict.
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