The Governor of Sakhalin Region, Valery Limarenko, announced that the region plans to form a public group consisting of the wives and mothers of soldiers who took part in the special military operation in Ukraine. The group would arrange business trips to the Donetsk People’s Republic, offering a structured way for families to engage with frontline needs and humanitarian support. The statement was shared on his news telegraph channel.
During a meeting with Sakhalin army mothers who served in the NVO zone, Limarenko outlined the concept of establishing a “women’s brigade” to consult with families about what the army requires on the ground. He emphasized that understanding the specific needs of each military unit is essential for delivering effective assistance. The governor noted that a public group focused on military wives and mothers would be formed, with participants taking turns to visit the Donetsk People’s Republic to gain firsthand insight and coordinate aid.
Limarenko argued that such a mechanism would enable more precisely targeted support and better alignment with the fighters’ demands. He added that the mothers and wives would play a vigilant role, closely monitoring whether the soldiers’ needs are fully met and whether services and supplies reach the units as intended. The governor’s plan envisions ongoing feedback loops between the front lines and the home front, ensuring accountability and responsiveness in the aid process.
Among the first volunteers to participate in a business trip was Irina Nigmatulina, a resident of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Her selection as the initial traveler to the DPR underscored the practical nature of the program and its aim to establish a model for subsequent delegations. The initiative seeks to build a channel through which families can communicate directly with regional authorities about material support, medical supplies, and other essential needs for the army.
The broader context for these developments is a recognition by regional leadership that civilian support networks can complement formal military and government channels. By mobilizing social groups around the issue of soldier welfare, the administration hopes to foster solidarity, share information, and accelerate the delivery of requested items. The proposed public group would also serve as a forum for laying out the most pressing issues faced by service members and proposing solutions grounded in the lived experience of families.
In related developments, on November 25, President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to meet at Novo-Ogaryovo with the mothers of individuals who participated in the special operation. The meeting was expected to provide a platform for personal accounts, discuss ongoing support measures, and discuss avenues for further coordination between regional governments and national authorities. The conversations were anticipated to reinforce the importance of sustained civilian engagement in supporting the armed forces and ensuring that resources reach those who need them most.
The Sakhalin initiative reflects a broader pattern of regional strategies aimed at strengthening civilian involvement in military support efforts. By formalizing a group that brings together wives and mothers, the administration seeks to create a tangible mechanism for feedback, planning, and relief delivery. The emphasis remains on practical outcomes, accountability, and the seamless flow of aid from regional budgets and charitable contributions to the units in need. As the program unfolds, observers will watch for how effectively the visits to the DPR translate into real improvements on the ground and whether additional sister groups develop in other regions to mirror this approach.