Soldier's Wife Publicly Appeals for His Return in Rare Act of Dissent

Maria Andreyeva's plea at Putin's election headquarters highlights growing frustration among soldiers' families as war in Ukraine continues with no end in sight.

Maria Andreyeva, the wife of a Russian soldier, made a public appeal for her husband's return from Ukraine at President Vladimir Putin's election headquarters, a rare act of dissent in a country where open criticism of the war is banned.
Andreyeva's husband was mobilized in October 2022 to join the Russian campaign in Ukraine, and his absence has had a profound impact on their family, particularly their toddler daughter who is suffering from arrested speech development.
Andreyeva's appeal is part of a growing movement of soldiers' wives, known as 'The Way Home', campaigning for their husbands' return from the front.
Despite Putin's claim that Russia is in a strong position across the entire front line, there is growing frustration and despair among soldiers' families as the war continues with no end in sight.
Andreyeva's public appeal and the growing movement of soldiers' wives represent a rare challenge to Putin's war in Ukraine, especially in the lead up to the presidential election in March.