Moscow Protest: Families Demand Return of Mobilized Soldiers

In Moscow, a protest involving mostly journalists resulted in over two dozen detentions. Families of Russian soldiers mobilized for the Ukraine conflict gathered to demand their loved ones return, marking 500 days since Putins partial mobilization order.

In a bold display of defiance, more than two dozen individuals, predominantly journalists, were detained during a protest in central Moscow on Saturday. The demonstration was organized by wives and relatives of Russian servicemen mobilized to fight in Ukraine, who passionately called for their loved ones' return.

Gathering at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The relatives gathered at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, situated just outside the Kremlin walls, to lay flowers and commemorate 500 days since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a "partial mobilization" in September 2022. This decision, made in response to setbacks in Moscow's full-scale war against Ukraine, called for the mobilization of up to 300,000 reservists, sparking widespread unpopularity and prompting hundreds of thousands to flee abroad to avoid being drafted.

The Call for Discharge and Unity

Wives and relatives of the reservists mobilized in 2022 have relentlessly campaigned for their discharge and replacement with contract soldiers. The demonstration on Saturday was organized by one such campaign group, The Way Home, which issued a call on Telegram on Friday, urging "wives, mothers, sisters, and children" of reservists from across Russia to come to Moscow and "demonstrate their unity."

Heartfelt Pleas and Emotional Struggles

One of the protesters, who identified herself only as Antonina due to fear of reprisals, expressed her desire for her husband's safe return rather than compensation from the Russian government in the event of his death. She conveyed her determination to either enter a convent or follow him if he were to be killed. Struggling to hold back tears, Antonina questioned the understanding of Russian authorities and placed her trust in God's judgment.

Growing Support and Government Response

Saturday's demonstration marked the ninth and largest of similar weekly gatherings organized by The Way Home, with an estimated turnout of around 200 people according to a popular Russian Telegram news channel. Allies of jailed Kremlin foe Alexei Navalny and Russian opposition politician Maksim Kats voiced their support for the protest on Friday, while the Moscow prosecutors' office issued a warning against participation in "unauthorized mass events" on Saturday.

Despite the public backlash, the Russian military has been actively seeking to bolster its forces in Ukraine by enlisting more volunteers since late 2022. The authorities claim that approximately 500,000 individuals signed contracts with the Defense Ministry last year.

Government Stonewalling and Accusations

Despite the wives' and relatives' persistent calls to bring mobilized reservists home, their pleas have been met with resistance from Russia's government-controlled media. Pro-Kremlin politicians have attempted to portray them as Western stooges, a claim that was vehemently rejected by the protesters on Saturday.

A Deeper Tragedy and Presidential Election

Maria Andreyeva, whose husband and brother are fighting in Ukraine, expressed her view of the conflict as a profound tragedy between two brotherly peoples. She highlighted the close ties between Russians and Ukrainians and emphasized the profound impact of the situation on Russian society. The protest took place just weeks before the Russian presidential election, scheduled for March 15-17, in which Putin is widely expected to secure victory.

Seeking Decent Treatment and Support

Following the flower-laying ceremony at the monument, Andreyeva and other protesters proceeded to Putin's campaign headquarters to present their demands. Last month, another Russian presidential hopeful, Boris Nadezhdin, met with Andreyeva and other soldiers' relatives campaigning for their return. Nadezhdin, who openly opposes the war in Ukraine, criticized the Kremlin's decision to keep mobilized reservists in the ranks indefinitely and called for the authorities to treat those fulfilling their duty in a decent manner.