Soldiers’ relatives block troops in Melitopol from being sent to the front

On June 8, a group of 100 soldiers’ relatives blocked troops from the 3033 military unit based in Melitopol, Zaporizhia, from being sent to the fight in the government’s “anti terrorist operation”. 

According to the mothers, their sons were forced to sign a paper which states that they participate in the ATO voluntarily and that there is no guarantee of a successful homecoming.

The protest managed to prevent the soldiers from being sent to the front.

The relatives involved in the protest movement protested at being described as “pro-Russian separatists”.

“Yesterday the news talked of  “pro-Russian separatists staged a blockade of the military unit”. But there was no mention of Russia at the gate of the military unit! We just do not want to lose our families’ breadwinners. We gave birth to them to secure that they are well-feed and reach old age in peaceful” said one of the mothers. “Donetsk is a massacre, and our children 20-21 years. … You see us, we are mothers! How can you call us separatists!” she added.