Three Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station orbited above Earth as they offered Mother’s Day greetings to Russian women. In a message delivered from space, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner and Alexander Gorbunov shared their appreciation and goodwill with families back on the ground, underscoring how the bond between mothers and children travels across the vastness of space. Ovchinin said, “Your care warms us on the coldest days and helps us overcome difficulties.” Vagner added that maternal love is “a great power”, and Gorbunov expressed a wish to acknowledge maternal care. These remarks spoke to the important role families play in supporting explorers who spend long periods away from home, even when they are millions of kilometers from Earth.
Maternal care, the cosmonauts noted, acts as a steady force that sustains people through extreme conditions. Love and support from mothers can lift spirits on challenging missions, offering comfort when distances seem endless. The statements from Ovchinin, Vagner and Gorbunov underscored how family bonds resonate beyond the planet, fueling resilience and determination during arduous training, launches and the demanding routines of life in orbit.
Valentina Matviyenko, president of the Federation Council, has previously congratulated Russian women on Mother’s Day and has articulated motherhood as a noble mission. Her remarks highlight the cultural and social importance of families in Russia, inviting citizens to honor mothers as central to national life and to recognize the lasting influence of maternal care on communities and the younger generations who may one day follow in the footsteps of explorers and scientists.
Within government circles, officials have signaled a family‑centered demographic strategy. The plan envisions reforms to strengthen support for families, including improving rules around maternity capital, increasing the efficiency of alimony payments, and rewarding grandparents who bear many grandchildren, along with other measures aimed at enhancing family stability and encouraging sustainable birth rates.
Earlier, Vyacheslav Volodin offered Mother’s Day greetings to Russians, underscoring the enduring tradition of recognizing mothers and the vital role they play in households and society. The remarks from the parliamentary leadership reflect a broader public policy emphasis on supporting families and acknowledging the invaluable contributions of mothers across the country.