The scent of home meadows sent to the front: in the village of Kovali they make tea and weave camouflage nets for the Special Military Operation.

      Volunteers from the village of Kovali in the Pestrechinsky District continue to support fighters of the special military operation (SMO): women harvest fragrant herbs for teas and weave camouflage nets. In the settlement this has long since become a cherished tradition. The volunteer movement here is led by Zoya Shipshova – the mother of an SMO participant. Her son was mobilized one of the first, and it was then that Zoya first wondered how ordinary villagers could help the fighters. Today she is surrounded by a whole team of caring women.

      In summer the volunteers went out to meadows, forests and fields. They gathered oregano, St. John’s wort, mint, fireweed, and lemon balm – all sorted by hand, carefully dried under sheds and in the entrance halls. They are especially proud of the herbs grown on their own plots: schisandra (Chinese magnolia vine), lemon balm, and mint. They also use unusual ingredients – for example, dried carrot, which adds a gentle sweetness and vitamins to the tea. Recently the women purchased empty tea bags; now they put the aromatic blends into them so that it is more convenient for fighters to brew the drinks at the front.

      “There’s such a heady aroma here,” says Zoya Shipshova. “I think these scents will also help the guys. They will remind them of home, that we are for them, we are by their side, even when far away.”

      The help is not limited to herbs. The village women gather daily to weave camouflage nets. They do it steadily, with prayer and kind words.

      “My son has many friends,” she says. “When we announce a gathering, they never stand aside. Everyone has their own life and concerns: families, children, mortgages, repairs, construction… No one has extra time or money. But despite this, fellow villagers find a way to help. Many thanks to them.”

      In his address to the State Council of Tatarstan, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the volunteers for their contribution to supporting the SMO.

      “We can see how hard times have united our society. People of Tatarstan, by the call of their hearts, provide support to our fighters, their families, and collect humanitarian aid for the front and for the cities under our patronage – Lysychansk and Rubizhne. I want to thank everyone for this important work,” he said.

      The piece was prepared with the participation of Olga Shamsutdinova. Photo provided by Zoya Shipshova.

      More news about the event:

      In the Pestrechinsky District volunteers prepare tea and weave camouflage nets for SMO fighters

      In the village of Kovali in the Pestrechinsky District volunteers continue to help SMO fighters: women are preparing fragrant herbs for teas and weaving camouflage nets, reports “Tatar-inform.” 16:56 21.11.2025 GTRK Tatarstan - Kazan

      The scent of native meadows to the front: in the village of Kovali they make tea and weave camo nets for the SMO

      Volunteers from the village of Kovali in the Pestrechinsky District continue to support SMO fighters: women gather fragrant herbs for teas and weave camouflage nets. 16:36 21.11.2025 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      Regional news on the subject:

      Volunteers in Yaroslavl helped the wife of an SMO participant assemble 1,500 home tea sets

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      We don’t abandon our own!

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