Vladimir Putin has been tipped to turn dissent-busting operations on women protesting his ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Putin has been waging what his supporters have dubbed a “holy war” on any movement which could be perceived as a sign of support for Western values – including freedom of speech, LGBTQ+ rights and pacifism.
Women have emerged as lead critics of the Russian government as mothers, sisters and wives of Russian soldiers demanding the return of their loved ones from the front.
Multiple surveys have shown women have a more negative attitude towards Putin’s “military operation” and have been at the forefront of protests held since the start of the war in 2022.
Grassroots movements have launched the Feminist Anti-War Resistance Initiative (FAS) which brings together activists concerned about the war’s impact on pre-existing social issues and the violation of women’s rights.
Wives and mothers of Russian soldiers set up The Way Home following Putin’s first mass mobilisation in September 2023 – and have grown into a major concern for the Kremlin.
According to the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) the group has “become increasingly politicised and critical of Putin.”
CEPA added that public support for such organisations has been minimal but noted there is growing worry among Putin loyalists about behind-the-scene efforts to undermine the war effort – resulting in a widespread crackdown.
They said: “Putin and his henchmen have enthusiastically adopted a cult of unapologetic ultra-masculinity, based on the ideas of strict hierarchy, top-down control, and legitimisation through force.
“Within this model women are objectified and their key function is primarily to produce cannon fodder for future wars. Contesting these ‘values,’ by promoting gender rights and opposing violence, is framed by the Kremlin as ‘hostile’ to Russian civilisation.”
CEPA added: “While a mass crackdown on politically active women before the presidential election in March might have backfired on Putin’s ratings, nothing can prevent the Kremlin from acting to ‘solve’ the issue now.”
In addition to domestic pressure, Putin is grappling with the impending arrival of fresh aid to Ukraine from the United States in the coming weeks.
Russia has been exploiting the delay to make significant advances across eastern Ukraine and launch a new offensive towards Ukraine’s second-biggest city, Kharkiv.
But his efforts have been marred by alleged corruption charges that have removed several high-ranking military officers from their posts.
Former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov oversaw large military-related construction projects with access to vast sums of money. Those projects included rebuilding Ukraine‘s destroyed port city of Mariupol.
In April, the Investigative Committee, Russia’s top law enforcement agency, reported Ivanov is suspected of taking an especially large bribe — a criminal offence punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Since then, other arrests on bribery charges have included Lt. Gen. Yury Kuznetsov, head of the Defense Ministry’s personnel directorate; Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, a career soldier and former top commander in Ukraine; and Lt. Gen. Vadim Shamarin, deputy chief of the military general staff. Shamarin is a deputy to Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff.