Relatives of Russian soldiers mobilized for the war in Ukraine are demanding their loved ones be replaced in combat by the children and husbands of Russian officials and media personalities. The Put Domoi movement, which has organized protests across Russia calling for demobilization, issued a statement on their Telegram channel outlining their demand. The list of individuals to be replaced includes prominent figures such as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, TV host Vladimir Solovyev, and former President Dmitry Medvedev. The movement believes that such a rotation would quickly end the hostilities in Ukraine.
In a previous protest outside the Defense Ministry building in Moscow, a group of women demanded the return of the mobilized soldiers and requested a meeting with new Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. Russia had mobilized 300,000 reservists for the war in Ukraine in 2022, with many not returning home since. Independent reports suggest that over 6,456 of these men have been killed in combat, though the actual number is believed to be higher. The situation has led to growing frustration among the families of these soldiers, prompting them to take action to bring their loved ones home.
The Russian government recently labeled Put Domoi and one of its leaders, Maria Andreyeva, as “foreign agents,” in an attempt to discredit the movement. Despite this, the women were allowed to continue staging weekly protests in central Moscow, with authorities seemingly unwilling to provoke the families of soldiers fighting in Ukraine. The movement’s demands for the replacement of soldiers with the children and husbands of influential figures highlight the deepening discontent among the families of mobilized soldiers.
The Put Domoi movement’s call for the replacement of soldiers with the relatives of Russian officials and media personalities is a bold and controversial move intended to draw attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. By targeting specific individuals with ties to the government and media, the movement aims to pressure those in power to end the hostilities and bring the soldiers home. The demand for a rotation of personnel on the front lines reflects the desperation felt by the families of mobilized soldiers who have not returned from Ukraine.
The push by Put Domoi to replace soldiers highlights the toll that the war in Ukraine has taken on Russian families and the growing discontent with the government’s handling of the conflict. The movement’s willingness to confront the authorities and demand action demonstrates the anguish and frustration felt by those directly impacted by the mobilization of soldiers. The labeling of Put Domoi and its leader as “foreign agents” by the Russian government underscores the challenges faced by those advocating for the return of soldiers and an end to the war.
Overall, the demands of the Put Domoi movement represent a grassroots effort to bring attention to the plight of mobilized soldiers and their families affected by the war in Ukraine. The movement’s call for the replacement of soldiers with the children and husbands of influential individuals is a provocative tactic aimed at sparking change and ending the conflict. As the protests continue and the pressure mounts on the government, the fate of the mobilized soldiers and the resolution of the conflict remain uncertain. The ongoing efforts of the Put Domoi movement serve as a reminder of the human cost of war and the necessity of addressing the concerns of those directly impacted by armed conflict.
