Protests in Russia over Soldiers' Long Service in Ukraine

A group of Russian women is demanding the return of their loved ones who have been serving in Ukraine for an extended period. They argue that the men have fulfilled their duty on the front lines, with some having served for 15 months after being called up as reservists to support Russia's military campaign. However, their pleas have been disregarded by the military, and those speaking out have faced backlash from propagandists. These women have united in frustration, standing up against the prolonged deployment of their family members just months before an upcoming election in Russia. They have formed a movement advocating for the discharge and return to civilian life of the soldiers. Their public defiance is noteworthy in a country where questioning the government's conduct of the war is rare. One woman, identified as Asya, shared her struggles of being left to care for her young daughter alone while her husband remains deployed in Ukraine. Despite the risks of speaking out, she and others have written to officials and formed a group on the Telegram messaging app to rally for their cause. As authorities have refused to permit their protests, the women have employed other forms of civil disobedience to gain attention, including wearing stickers and laying flowers at war memorials. Their actions have drawn increasing attention, and they recently met with a presidential candidate who has criticized Putin's war. The women emphasized that they are ordinary citizens fighting for justice, hoping to garner support for their cause.