PODCAST:The Global Story
TITLE:‘Send back our husbands’ – Russian women taking the fight to Putin
DATE:2024-01-25 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
In the episode titled "Send Back Our Husbands – Russian Women Taking the Fight to Putin" from the BBC's "The Global Story," the focus is on the growing vocal criticism from Russian women towards the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin, particularly regarding the drafting and deployment of Russian men in the war in Ukraine. Hosted by Katya Adler with the BBC's Russia editor Steve Rosenberg, the episode delves into the experiences and challenges faced by the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters of Russian soldiers.
Key Points from the Episode:
Rising Voices of Dissent: The women related to Russian soldiers are increasingly vocal in expressing their dissatisfaction with the government's policies, especially the prolonged deployment of their loved ones in Ukraine. This dissent is significant in a country where voices of criticism have been largely suppressed.
Impact of Partial Mobilization: The episode discusses the effects of Putin's announcement of partial mobilization in 2022, which led to over 300,000 reservists being called up for military service. This decision caused alarm and fear within Russian society, as men, including those with health issues or older age, were drafted and sent to fight.
Personal Stories: The episode highlights personal stories, like that of Antonina, whose partner was mobilized despite health issues. Her experience reflects a change in perception towards Putin and the authorities, moving from support to a more neutral stance, yet still struggling to completely blame Putin for the ongoing situation.
The Way Home Group: The emergence of groups like "The Way Home" on social media, which consist of thousands of subscribers sharing similar stories and concerns, is discussed. These groups represent a collective effort to bring attention to the issue and demand the return of their family members.
Official Response and Media Silence: While the Russian government has been relatively softer on these women compared to other critics, the state media has largely ignored their campaign, focusing instead on portraying the war positively and emphasizing the willingness of Russians to defend their country.
Potential Risks and Kremlin's Dilemma: The episode explores the risks these women might be facing for their dissent and speculates on why the Kremlin might be more cautious in dealing with them. Their traditional support for the authorities and their direct connection to the soldiers pose a unique challenge for the Kremlin.
Broader Context of Dissent in Russia: The discussion also touches on how dissent in Russia has evolved over the years, especially in the last two years since the invasion of Ukraine, noting a significant clampdown on freedom of speech and a gradual stifling of Russian democracy.
The episode provides a nuanced insight into a relatively less explored aspect of the war in Ukraine - the perspective of Russian families directly affected by the mobilization and their growing discontent with the government's military policies. It underscores the complexity of public sentiment in Russia and the subtle shifts in attitudes towards the Putin administration.
