Russian women demand return of their men from Ukraine war

MOSCOW, Dec 05 (Reuters): Maria Andreeva, whose husband has been fighting in Ukraine for more than a year, is also waging a battle in Moscow: to get him home. She is not alone.
A growing movement of Russian women is demanding the return from the front of their husbands, sons and brothers who were mobilised after a decree by President Vladimir Putin in September last year.
Initially, the movement pledged loyalty to what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation" (SVO) but what they regard as the perfunctory response they have received is hardening some of their opinions.
Since Andreeva's husband was mobilised last year and headed to Ukraine, he has been back only for two short breaks to see his wife and young daughter. His wife says this is insufficient for a soldier fighting in a conflict.
"We want our men to be demobilised so that they can return home because we think that for over a year they have done everything they could have - or even more," Andreeva, 34, told Reuters in an interview in Moscow.
"For me, it is not only a struggle to ensure that my daughter has a father, but it is also a struggle for my marriage." Tackling the movement is a delicate matter for the Kremlin.