Kathmandu, Feb 5: Tensions rise in Russia as soldiers’ wives and their families take to the streets to demand the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine. On the 500th day of the Russia-Ukraine war, relatives of soldiers gathered at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin, paying homage to fallen soldiers and calling for an end to the conflict.

Reports from Reuters indicate that 20 protesters, including several journalists, were detained by the police during the demonstration that began on the morning of February 3. Organized under the banner of The Way Home Group, the protest rallied wives, sisters, and mothers of soldiers through a Telegram channel, seeking their collective voice for the return of soldiers.

One soldier’s wife expressed her desire for her husband’s safe return, emphasizing that she does not seek compensation but simply wants her husband back alive. Meanwhile, independent media outlet Mozem Obyasnit claimed that injured Russian soldiers were allegedly compensated with sacks of vegetables instead of monetary compensation.

The protest sheds light on the challenges faced by soldiers in the war against Ukraine, including reported issues with medical care and compensation. In one case, a soldier, Oleg Rybkin, injured in June 2023, allegedly received sacks of carrots and onions as compensation after being declared unfit for combat due to injuries.

Ukraine has recently claimed a mysterious disease affecting Russian soldiers, causing red eyes, vomiting, and kidney failure. Soldiers reportedly complained to their commanders, but their concerns were allegedly ignored, with commanders dismissing them as excuses to avoid further combat.

Soldiers on the front lines in Ukraine are also grappling with harsh winter conditions. According to reports, the Russian army fighting in Ukraine lacks essential medical supplies, first aid, and warm clothing. The temperature in Ukraine has dropped to minus 5 Celsius, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the soldiers.

As the protests unfold and international attention remains focused on the conflict, the situation continues to evolve, with ongoing concerns about the well-being of soldiers and the impact of the war on both sides.