these wives of Russian mobilized soldiers demonstrate in front of the Kremlin for their return home

In Moscow, every weekend for several weeks, these members of the “The Way Home” movement have defied the authorities, without ever crossing the lines.

This is an extremely rare form of protest in Russia. Despite the repression, despite the ever heavier prison sentences falling on opponents and those who dare to challenge the Kremlin’s policies, wives of mobilized soldiers dare to go out into the streets to publicly demand their return.

This weekend, as for several weeks, around fifteen people came to place roses at the tomb of the unknown soldier, at the foot of the Kremlin walls. Among them, Ksenia, whose husband celebrates his birthday for the second time at the front: “I am here for the second time, I have overcome my fear. We want to show that we exist, we, the women of the mobilized. Nobody pays attention to us… We want our mobilized men to be returned to us in accordance with what Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, who said that the mobilized men would be replaced by professional soldiers. My husband is very tired, he is 28 years old today and really wants to return to civilian life“, she explains.

The women of the Pout Domoï movement, the “path to home”, are careful not to say that they are opposed to the special operation, which could land them in prison. They just say that their mobilized men should be replaced by others, which, in the Russia of 2024, is already an extremely rare act of protest.

The Kremlin lets it happen

An action under close surveillance: the sector is teeming with plainclothes security force agents. But also pro-power activists. This woman comes to call out to the soldiers’ wives: “You divide society while our soldiers give their lives“, she tells them. The soldiers’ wives move away, they are used to it.

Maria Andreeva, one of the leaders of the movement, has already received a visit from the security forces. “They came to see me on January 19. They wanted our action canceled. I told them it will take place and that’s it. They didn’t really scare me.” she explains.

“What would really scare me would be to find myself alone with my conscience and realize that I didn’t do what I should have done.”

Maria Andreeva

at franceinfo

In the middle of the presidential campaign, this movement, which receives a certain response on social networks, embarrasses those in power. The Kremlin lets it happen. For the moment.