Maria Andreeva, a prominent leader of the Russian wives’ movement advocating for the return of their mobilized soldiers from the front lines in Ukraine, has announced her resignation from the cause.
She was Designated a "Foreign Agent"
This decision comes in the wake of being designated a "foreign agent" by Russian authorities and losing her job, according to Ziare
Andreeva, who led the "Homecoming" movement, was a vocal figure in organizing weekly protests at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin walls.
These rallies demanded that President Vladimir Putin bring home the soldiers who have been deployed to Ukraine for over two years. However, the increasing repression in Russia has made such demonstrations rare.
Intensified Since the Invasion
The term "foreign agent," used by Russian authorities, imposes significant administrative burdens and restrictions. Andreeva was labeled as such earlier this month, leading to her dismissal from her position at a child neuropsychology center in Moscow.
“Foreign agents are not only stripped of their rights but also their means of livelihood,” Andreeva lamented on Telegram.
The crackdown on dissent in Russia has intensified since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Protests and dissenting voices have faced severe consequences, with many activists and journalists being arrested or forced into exile.
The once-frequent protests by the wives of soldiers had dwindled, especially after a series of crackdowns on February 24, marking the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
In the fall of 2022, Russia mobilized 300,000 reservists to bolster its struggling frontline troops, further fueling discontent among families affected by the ongoing conflict.
