On September 21, 2025, the third anniversary of Russia’s partial mobilization announcement, police detained the mother of a mobilized soldier from Novosibirsk outside the Defense Ministry building in Moscow. Other relatives of servicemen refer to her as Mama Lida. She stood with a small sign bearing only the dates 21.09.2022 — 21.09.2025.
According to witnesses, she had also pinned three medals to her sweatshirt, given to her by participants in the war: “For Assistance to the Special Military Operation,” “For Help to the Front,” and “Defender of the Fatherland.” She barely had time to display the sign before two armed police officers approached and told her to stop, promising not to detain her if she put it away.
Even after that, Lidia was reportedly forced into a police vehicle. Activist Paulina Safronova, who accompanied her, said the detention was rough, that the woman’s sweatshirt was torn, and that Safronova herself was pushed aside. According to Nina, a former participant in the movement, the detainee was taken to a police station on Luzhnetskaya Embankment and kept there pending a court hearing.
Relatives’ movement has weakened
The publication says that over three years the movement of wives and mothers of mobilized men has gone from a visible public campaign to a fragmented and demoralized community. After protests in 2023, activists sought demobilization through rallies, appeals to officials, and public statements, but later faced growing pressure from pro-government media and the authorities.
In May 2024, the movement and its Telegram channel, “Put Domoy,” were designated by the Justice Ministry as “foreign agents,” and its formal leader Maria Andreeva was given the same status. Another initiative, “Vernem Rebyat,” later dissolved after the wartime death of the brother of activist Olga Kats.
“A year ago solo pickets were still allowed, but now that window has been shut,” relatives of servicemen told the outlet, describing the shift in the security forces’ response.
Nina, whose name was changed, said participants in such actions were previously more often released within a few hours, but that the authorities’ approach has now “changed radically.” She also said she feared Lidia could face not only charges related to protest rules but also accusations of “discrediting the army.” Her court hearing was expected on the morning of September 22, but at the time of publication there was still no contact with her and no court ruling had been reported.