Participant of Putin’s meeting with mothers of NVO fighters revealed acute questions to the president

— How did you get to meet with Vladimir Putin?

— I received a call from the unit where my son serves and was invited to a meeting with the President. My son is a guard corporal in a reconnaissance unit. The participants of the meeting were not selected in any special way, because the president needed the meeting as a form of feedback from those who know about the situation not from the Internet, but from their sons.

– What was your reaction?

– Nearly fainted. I have always respected Vladimir Vladimirovich and sincerely loved him. Sometimes, there was no mood, the news was on TV, and when our president appeared on the screen, I looked at him, and I felt good from his strength. At such moments I thought, Lord, thank you very much for sending us such a president. And then I had the opportunity to see it with my own eyes … I could not even dream of it.

– How did your son get on a special military operation?

He went to military service right after school, at the age of 18. I offered him to go to college, but my son said that he would go to serve in the army in order to decide in life, to find out what he wants to do in the future. There he signed a contract.

It has been in service for seven years, since 2015. He has already visited “hot spots” several times, he is a veteran of military operations. My heart, of course, hurts for him, I pray.

The son, still being small, was already a very responsible, reliable, real man. He made his own decisions. I looked at him as an adult, never argued with him. In their company, all the guys were actively involved in sports, led a healthy lifestyle. I never worried when they went somewhere for a walk or went on vacation, because I knew that nothing would be forbidden, everyone was reasonable, prudent.

During his school years, my son was engaged in wrestling, shooting, athletics, and ran marathons. When I passed an exit commission from the military registration and enlistment office at school, a female doctor noticed: “Son, you can’t join the army, you have flat feet.” The son said: “What are you talking about, I have the second adult category in athletics.” She looked at him and said: “Oh, really, you can.”

When the special operation began, my son was on a business trip, but he told me: “Get together, mom, with spirit. I’ll come on vacation and leave again.” He always decides everything himself.

– Did you have a military family?

– The father of the son served for 25 years in the police department of the Central District of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the city of Tula. Was in “hot” spots, is a war veteran.

My grandfather, my son’s great-grandfather, led a battalion with the rank of captain. He was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class, the Order of Alexander Nevsky. Killed in 1944. A page about his military path, his photograph, is in the Museum “Memory Road. 1418 Steps to Victory” in Kubinka. He was only a year older than my son when he died. He was buried in Ukraine. And the son is now fighting in Ukraine. Here are the historical parallels.

Can you contact your son?

– No, he is “behind the ribbon.” I communicate with his commander, who, if possible, calls me and other mothers to let them know that everything is fine with our sons.

– Do you still have children?

– There is also a daughter, she is in 11th grade.

— How did you get a job in the Federal Penitentiary Service?

– Since childhood, I had a dream to go to serve in the army. I always wanted to be in the military. And at some point it turned out that recruitment was being carried out in the regional penitentiary system. I passed the medical examination, and next year it will be 20 years since I have been working in colony-settlement No. 8 – in one place, in one institution. I am a senior warrant officer, I work in the security department, I supervise, I work with convicts inside the colony.

– Why did you decide to go to a meeting with Vladimir Putin in uniform?

– I specifically went to the shopping center, bought a suit for a trip to Vladimir Vladimirovich. I didn’t know if there was some kind of dress code there or not, so I took two types of clothes with me to the residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, this suit and uniform. I photographed them and sent them to my relatives and work colleagues with the question: “What is the best way to go?” Everyone unambiguously told me: “In the form.” Now I say that the tunic that I was wearing should be placed under glass, because the unattainable man of God Vladimir Putin touched it.

– What awards do you have on your tunic?

– Departmental – medal “For Distinction in Service” III degree, “For Distinction in Service” II degree. Also commemorative medals.

– What impression did the women who came to meet with Vladimir Putin from different regions of Russia make on you?

— I saw lovely, open, friendly and at the same time strong women. They came from Tuva, Khakassia, Chechnya, Dagestan, Rostov-on-Don… Among them were mothers who lost their sons during a special operation.

At first I thought, Lord, where can I get so much strength to endure this grief? I looked at them – and saw such strength, unbending will! And it is right. They preserve the memory of their sons, continue the life of their children with their deeds. Honor and praise to these mothers who can get together and help other mothers, other sons.

– How did you understand that you would sit directly opposite the president?

“It was a complete surprise for me. We were told: “You will pass, there will be alphabetical signs on the table.” I saw my last name, sat down, began to look around – will Vladimir Vladimirovich sit on the left or on the right? We are used to the fact that on holidays the host sits at the head of the table.

I looked, and there all the places are occupied. Then mom, who was sitting next to me, noticed: “Look, Vladimir Vladimirovich will sit right in front of us, here is his chair.” I caught my breath, my mouth went dry. How am I supposed to speak? Behind me is Tula, behind me is my son. The excitement, of course, was strong.

Vladimir Vladimirovich appeared. I immediately felt how powerful he was. I sat across from him and couldn’t take my eyes off him. He spoke in an undertone, calmly, but he explained everything in such a way that a chill went through his body. I thought, now it is clear why he is respected all over the world. I still have his eyes before my eyes.

What did they say when they gave you the floor?

– I performed after Irina Sumynina from Krasnodar, mother of four sons. Her husband and her two sons are involved in a special operation. All of them volunteered from the Kuban Cossack army, they serve in the Cossack battalions. I understood that first I would have to introduce myself, talk about my family, and then voice my questions.

When I started talking, I saw that Vladimir Vladimirovich felt my excitement and helped me with his eyes. She said about the shortage of quadrocopters, that they should be on the balance sheet of all units that are on the front line, and not just the special forces.

I also wanted to have as many support points as possible throughout Russia. And not because our country is somehow poor, but so that everyone can contribute, provide assistance, give their warmth, so that the guys who are on the front line feel that they are not alone.

We have support centers in almost every city in the Tula region, in every village. People bring warm clothes, food, homemade products, personal hygiene items – they help in any way they can. Our deputy, Marina Bolvacheva, signed each box of humanitarian aid, everything was completed, everything was counted.

The employees of our institution also did not stand aside. As soon as I came and said that the guys had lost their things, this happens in a war zone, they immediately went and got sweaters and thermal underwear in the warehouse. We collected everything and sent them to the front line. Everyone is included, showing support. Now we need to defend our Motherland.

Questions addressed to Vladimir Putin were coordinated with you in advance?

“No one really asked anything. They only asked if there were any serious requests? So that we don’t repeat ourselves.

– Whose speeches from the invited mothers do you remember the most?

– I remember a mother from Chechnya, Zharadat Agueva, who has two sons, two grandchildren, nephews, a cousin and husband’s relatives in the combat zone. She thanked Vladimir Vladimirovich and Akhmad-hadji Kadyrov for peace in Chechnya. And the head of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, for hearing people’s requests. In my speech, I also spoke about our wonderful governor Alexei Dyumin, how reverently he treats all mobilized people and their families. Like a father. But I was very afraid to praise Alexei Gennadievich, I thought that he would not be taken away from us.

– Which of the questions raised seemed to you the most acute, topical?

– One mom asked if it was possible to go to the war zone to cook porridge for the fighters? It was said that many women are ready for this. And by the way, I have many such friends.

Everything, it turns out, is possible. There are centers where you can go. And in Tula it is. Both doctors and cooks can apply there.

The issue of uniforms was also raised at the meeting, that not all fighters have the uniform necessary for the season. Relatives have to buy it at their own expense. They also talked about the necessary rehabilitation of the wounded at the meeting. Vladimir Vladimirovich said that everything would be under control, everything would be decided.

We talked for two hours and 8 minutes. For me, this is a unique event that turned my whole life upside down. When Vladimir Vladimirovich approached us after the meeting, I felt the same strong, masculine energy that my son had. He shook hands with all of us, hugged everyone and kissed us on the cheek.

– After the meeting in Novo-Ogaryovo, did they organize an excursion to the Kremlin for you?

– We were shown the Kremlin from the inside, an ordinary person will not get there. So many miracles happened in one day! Our mother from Khakassia sat down at the piano, she was allowed, the women sang “Moscow Evenings”. Many, probably, then saw these shots on TV and social networks.

Did they give you something to remember?

We were all given very colorful Pavlovo Posad shawls. I am already walking in this wonderful scarf.

– Do you keep in touch with any of the mothers now?

We are in touch with mothers all the time. We now have such an organized battle group. We don’t break up. We continue to communicate, give advice, deal with specific issues. After the meeting, we were convinced that the mothers of our warriors should be together, should support each other. As Vladimir Putin noted, the main guarantee of success is unity.

Read the interview “A participant in Putin’s meeting with the mothers of fighters revealed behind-the-scenes details: how they were selected and prepared”