Ukrainians are tired of war / Women protest against their husbands’ long war

According to the report of the international group Tasnim news agency, “An TV wrote in a report: Ukrainian women are increasingly protesting the unlimited military service of their men.

“Alexander” is actually a university lecturer. For more than a year and a half, he has been fighting almost continuously at the front against the Russian invasion. Her husband says the soldiers are tired.

When Antonina Danilovich’s husband joined the Ukrainian army in March 2022, shortly after the war began, he faced long lines in front of the office. Registration is attached. At that time, Ukrainian men came forward in droves to defend their country against the Russian invaders. Danilovich says today there are no longer long queues. This 43-year-old human resources manager considered it a blessing when her husband Alexander went to war with tens of thousands of people. But today it is difficult for him to cope with it. He emphasized: since Alexander’s military service, he has had only 25 days of leave at home. These two children of mine are growing up without a father.

This article continues: There is no end to this war. These conditions have become unbearable for the people, soldiers, their families and friends, and the casualties are increasing day by day. “We want Ukraine to win, but not through individual efforts,” says Antonina Danilovich at her home in the capital city of Kiev. He emphasized that soldiers need to be replaced and also need rest. But for some reason, others do not understand this.

This report continues: Alexander, his wife worked as a lecturer at the university. He had no combat experience when he enlisted. Today, he is the platoon commander in the 4th Armored Brigade. His 14-year-old daughter misses her father very much. Alexander watched his son’s wedding this year via mobile phone video call to the front in Bakhmut, a town in heavily fought and devastated eastern Ukraine. Like many others, Antonina’s family must come to terms with the fact that this war will take a long time – much longer than they had hoped. Some are now admitting that there is no guarantee of victory.

In the fall, Antonina Danilovich signed a petition addressed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi asking for interim service. He became a soldier. About 25,000 people signed it, demanding that soldiers receive a clear timeline for their release from military service. Also, two demonstrations were held in the center of Kyiv with the presence of 50 to 100 people. The martial law that was imposed at the beginning of the war prohibits public demonstrations, yet these protests still exist. A year ago, when Ukrainian troops pushed back Russian forces from Kiev and even retook parts of the northeast and south, such protests were unthinkable.

In This article continues: About a year ago, the spirit of all people reached its peak. Today, however, the counteroffensive launched in the summer failed to succeed. Winter begins. Russia increases its drone and missile attacks on electricity and heat sources. Ukrainian and Russian soldiers face each other in trench warfare. The front lines hardly change and the question is raised more and more whether the urgent military aid from abroad will be provided as quickly and as before. Ukraine needed billions of dollars in arms from the United States and other allies to continue its war effort. For example, now the supply of artillery shells is running out and foreign countries are refusing to help. Not only because Ukraine has not seen any visible military success, but also because, for example, a new president will be elected in the United States of America in 2024.

However, Ukraine’s military leadership wants to avoid a stalemate in a war of attrition that will ultimately favor Russia.

At the same time, the military leadership points to the limited capacity to train soldiers and sees loopholes in the law through which mobilization can be prevented. avoided Recruiting is a problem in this situation and mostly happens behind closed doors. Men are stopped on the street, on the subway or at checkpoints and draft their papers. Videos were posted on social media showing men being literally threatened. This issue was followed by a public protest. There is also anger and protests as cases are repeatedly revealed where conscripts use bribes to evade military service.

Zelensky has to He fired all the heads of the regional employment offices in the summer. Hardly a week goes by without a criminal case being announced against military personnel for receiving money for forged documents so that men can avoid mobilization. Bribe amounts range from $500 to $10,000. The government is also working on a law that people over the age of 30 cannot avoid military service by studying. According to one of the representatives, the parliament also plans to draft a law by the end of the year that will improve the entry and exit process for military service.

On the Tisza coast, which is Southwest Ukraine runs into Romania, where border guards, who usually watch out for cigarette smugglers, have arrested about 6,000 people trying to flee the war. A border guard announced that at least 19 people drowned in these attempts to escape and declared: They lost their lives in vain. They died in the river when they could have been helping the war effort.

All of this leads to less trust in the government. Some sociologists sense a gloomy mood. Trust in the government has dropped from 74 percent in 2022 to 39 percent, says Anton Hrushetskeji, executive director of the International Institute of Sociology in Kyiv. In the parliament, this trust decreased from 58 to 21 percent. He added: “We hoped that we would be in a better situation this fall, but now winter is coming.

This report continues: Antonina Danilevich left her home for the cold. prepares He says: I am depressed. I know the challenges of winter and when there is heavy shelling, when the electricity and heat goes out, then I have to deal with it alone. Other women feel the same way. Over the summer, Danilevich came across a Telegram group of nearly 3,000 like-minded people who support veterans’ rights. Most of them are wives, mothers and family members of soldiers.

He emphasized: “Many women use sleeping pills and tranquilizers.” Danilevich’s group demonstrated for the first time at the end of October on Independence Square in Kyiv for restrictions on military service. They then wrote a letter to Zelensky.. Another rally was held in mid-November. One protester held a sign that read: My husband and father have given others time to prepare. It’s time to replace the first ones!

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