Relatives of Russian men who were drafted under President Vladimir Putin's partial mobilization in late 2022 have issued a warning, expressing concerns over the Kremlin's treatment of mobilized soldiers in Ukraine. The relatives claim that soldiers are being prohibited from leaving the military despite completing their terms, and their voices are gaining traction on social media.

The warning comes as State Duma Defense Committee Chairman, Andrey Kartapolov, stated in September 2023 that Russian men drafted for the war will not be rotated out of Ukraine until the conflict is over. In an interview with Russian news outlet Fontanka, Kartapolov emphasized that there is "no need to dismiss anyone," and citizens liable for military service should be prepared to complete their tasks for the Motherland whenever required.

These statements have sparked concern among the families of the mobilized soldiers. The Moscow Telegraph, a popular Telegram channel with nearly 90,000 subscribers, collected various reactions on social media, with one user quoted as saying, "They will achieve an armed insurrection...my husband can no longer tolerate all this," while another user echoed similar sentiments.

Relatives have actively been demanding the return of their enlisted men, feeling betrayed by their own government. The Telegram channel, "The Way Home," which primarily consists of family members of Russian troops, accused the authorities of betraying and exterminating the Russian public. The group expressed disappointment, recalling the promises made by President Putin that reservists would not be called up and that tasks in Ukraine would only be performed by professional volunteers. The message further stated, "The promises turned out to be empty... Mobilization turned out to be a terrible mistake."

According to a report by the American think tank RAND Corporation in June 2023, Russian personnel fighting in Ukraine will not be permitted to leave until the period of partial mobilization is officially ended by another decree. The report highlights that, apart from death in combat, the only existing ways out are reaching mandatory retirement age, medical discharge, or imprisonment. As a result, some soldiers have taken matters into their own hands by deserting.

The situation has raised concerns within Russia, prompting questions about the treatment of mobilized soldiers and the impact it may have on the overall conflict in Ukraine. Newsweek has reached out to Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment on these developments.

It remains to be seen how the Kremlin will address the concerns raised by these relatives and manage the potential backlash arising from the treatment of mobilized soldiers.