Russia: How this anti-war sketch separated a father from his daughter

Efremov resident Maria Moskalyova, 13, drew a picture in middle school: Missiles heading toward a woman and child with a Ukrainian flag. A “crime” was immediately reported to the director, who contacted the police. He examined the profile of his father, Alexei Moskalyov, and found comments critical of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.

The 54-year-old Russian is due to go on trial on Monday for “insulting the Russian armed forces,” a crime he faces up to three years in prison. According to her lawyer Vladimir Bilenko, she will lose her parental authority during another hearing on April 6. Since March 1, Alexey has been under house arrest. His daughter Maria, whom he was raising alone, was placed in a house and had no telephone contact with her father.

Efremov, who seemed calm, was shocked by this story. It was also mentioned in the opposition media and led to a petition to return the child to his father. The text has even been traced back to Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner’s boss in the Russian paramilitary group. He offered his support to Maria, criticizing the local authorities for sending the young girl to an orphanage.

“It Must Be Over”

On the sunny streets of Efremo, few residents are willing to talk openly about the case. “Separation of father and daughter is cruel. He only expressed his opinion,” protested one student, Alexandra. If they are not ready to publicly protest or talk about an attack in Ukraine, which is a taboo subject, local residents agree to discuss it quietly.

The retiree says his life changed after Russian troops entered Ukraine on February 24, 2022. “The only thing that worries me now is military news. I am not blaming anyone. I see all these victims from both sides. I want it to be over as soon as possible,” she said. In the city’s central square, two old women, red bands on their hands, sit on a bench and look around. “We have warned that there is a risk of attack and to maintain order,” they explain. This “popular guard” is a citizens’ initiative.

“We hope our son will be born in a peaceful world”

“We are for peace,” says Alexander Salikov, a 66-year-old retired engineer. “But we must liberate the Russian lands,” spread across Ukraine. Dimitri, a 50-year-old businessman, says he has been bankrupted by Western sanctions that have broken the supply chain: “What is the future for us? Power rests in the hands of special services. And we are on the brink of nuclear war.

Olga Podolskaïa reveals that public opinion is divided in Efremov, as in the rest of the country. “They’re depressed, they don’t understand what’s happening. But they can’t take to the streets (to protest). They’re afraid of being fired, they have debts and children,” he explains.

Marianna, a 31-year-old pregnant woman, is very confident, even though she is very worried about her husband. “We hope it will end and our son will be born in a peaceful world and not have to fear military operations,” she said, adding that she wanted to call her son Bogdan, a popular first name in Ukraine.

(AFP)