Wives of Russian draftees plan protest near Kremlin, call for end of mobilization

Representatives of The Way Home (“Put Domoi”), a Telegram channel run by Russian women advocating for their mobilized husbands to be sent home from the war in Ukraine, have announced plans to hold a protest near the Kremlin to mark the 500th day since mobilization was declared in Russia.

The protest is planned for noon on February 3 in Alexander Garden near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow.

“Firstly, we invite the wives, mothers, sisters, and children of mobilized [Russian soldiers] from all Russian regions to Moscow. It’s important to demonstrate our unity. Secondly, we invite everyone, all concerned citizens, to wear white headscarves or scarves and bring carnations to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” organizers wrote on the group’s Telegram channel.

They added that they are calling for Russian President Vladimir Putin to sign a decree ending mobilization and that they do not want anyone else to experience the suffering they have:

The gears of the state machine won’t stop with our husbands, sons, fathers, and brothers. Anyone can be next. Therefore, it’s everyone’s duty to save our fellow citizens from the meat grinder.