Russian women demand Putin bring their men home
The Straits Times|December 23, 2023
Wives, mothers and girlfriends of draftees risk embarrassing him before elections
Russian women demand Putin bring their men home

MOSCOW - More than a year after President Vladimir Putin summoned 300,000 draftees to fight in Russia's war in Ukraine, some of their families are starting to demand they come home.

Wives, mothers and girlfriends of mobilised Russian soldiers have begun protests calling on the Kremlin to bring their men back from the war.

Their movement, called The Way Home, has gained more than 37,000 followers on its Telegram channel in support of calls for demobilisation of the troops called up in September 2022.

So far, the authorities have limited their response to sending the police to warn organisers against protesting.

While the number involved now is relatively small, the movement risks embarrassing the Kremlin as Mr Putin prepares for presidential elections in March 2024.

Officials claim overwhelming public support for the invasion of Ukraine that has lasted almost two years with no end in sight.

"We are in favour of complete demobilisation, not rotation. We don't want anyone to go through what we went through," said Ms Maria, 26, from Moscow, an activist whose boyfriend was among the first to be drafted.

"I personally want the military operation to end. How can you feel good about the fact that people die every day, that someone's body gets eaten by rats in the fields?" Ms Maria asked not to disclose her surname or identify her boyfriend, fearing official retaliation.

この記事は The Straits Times の December 23, 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は The Straits Times の December 23, 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

THE STRAITS TIMESのその他の記事すべて表示
VERDY'S APPROACH AN EYE-OPENER
The Straits Times

VERDY'S APPROACH AN EYE-OPENER

Former Lions turned coaches Alam Shah and Isa inspired by stint with Japanese club

time-read
3 分  |
October 12, 2024
Lions' morale-boosting win comes at a price
The Straits Times

Lions' morale-boosting win comes at a price

The Lions got a much-needed morale booster ahead of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship as they beat Tokyo Verdy 2-1 on Oct 11 in the second of three friendlies against J1 League opponents in their Japan training tour.

time-read
2 分  |
October 12, 2024
Conditions to blame for 'ugly' draw, says Messi
The Straits Times

Conditions to blame for 'ugly' draw, says Messi

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi's return, as Brazil got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile on Oct 10.

time-read
2 分  |
October 12, 2024
The Straits Times

Belgium punish Italy at set pieces in 2-2 draw

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti blamed bad luck, as Belgium bounced back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with his 10-man side in Rome on Oct 10 to boost their hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals.

time-read
2 分  |
October 12, 2024
CARSLEY'S MIDFIELD OVERLOAD BACKFIRES
The Straits Times

CARSLEY'S MIDFIELD OVERLOAD BACKFIRES

England temp boss dismayed by mistakes as Three Lions lose to Greece for first time

time-read
3 分  |
October 12, 2024
Player strike in England unlikely: Sports law expert
The Straits Times

Player strike in England unlikely: Sports law expert

The chorus of frustrated players and managers speaking out against football's gruelling fixture schedule continues to grow, with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate the latest to say he would support players' right to strike.

time-read
2 分  |
October 12, 2024
SOCCEROOS HAVE NO FEAR
The Straits Times

SOCCEROOS HAVE NO FEAR

They head to Japan with confidence despite never having beaten the Samurai Blue there

time-read
2 分  |
October 12, 2024
The Straits Times

Toyota back in F1 with Haas tie-up

The United States-owned Haas Formula One team and Toyota announced a multi-year technical partnership on Oct 11, in a move bringing Japan's biggest carmaker back to grand prix racing for the first time since 2009.

time-read
2 分  |
October 12, 2024
The Straits Times

SABALENKA TO STICK TO HER BRAVE PLAN

World No. 2 will be aggressive in Wuhan semi against Gauff; Fritz takes on Djokovic

time-read
2 分  |
October 12, 2024
Nadal's beauty lay in his purity as a competitor
The Straits Times

Nadal's beauty lay in his purity as a competitor

To appreciate the retiring Rafael Nadal we can flip through record books, hunt down Uncle Toni, sift the clay for archaeological clues, speak to Roger Federer's therapist, delve into the physics of spin, but really it's best if we start with a dictionary.

time-read
4 分  |
October 12, 2024