From the ashes of the headquarters – to the SVO zone: a member of "United Russia" and a deputy who personally delivered humanitarian aid to the front lines.

      Source of the photo: Alena Gagarina, Leisan Manina

      Activist of the Mendeleevsky local branch of the party Alena Gagarina interviewed the wife of a SVO fighter, leader of the volunteer movement, member of "United Russia," deputy of the Munaykinsky rural settlement Leisan Manina.

      Where did your volunteering begin? With the start of mobilization, my world turned upside down. My husband was called up for the SVO, and we wanted to help him in every way possible. It all started small. Wives, mothers, relatives began to collect humanitarian aid only for the guys in our platoon, and gradually it all grew into something large-scale. From the world by a thread, a whole fabric began to be woven. People followed us, and fighters from different units started reaching out to us for help. To this day, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our fighters on the front lines. For us, there is no difference between a contract soldier and a mobilized one. They are all OURS, all our own. Initially, we just bought various equipment for the guys, but I decided to focus on dry rations. I bought a large vegetable dryer and started drying vegetables, making soup mixes. And it all started at my home. At that time, we didn't have a special room, and boxes of humanitarian aid were stored in the apartment, on the balcony, and even in our garage. That was the start of our headquarters.

      Freeze-dried food suddenly became very popular among the fighters at the front. Together with like-minded people, we decided to increase the production of dry rations, introduced standards and proportions. Now we send whole boxes of dry rations to the SVO zone, handle requests from fighters, collect and assemble a common humanitarian cargo. One of the most necessary items we send to the front is nets that protect against FPV drones. Our wonderful Uncle Gena weaves them. He is 77 years old, and he gets up every day at 5 a.m. to weave several meters of these nets. Over time, he has woven more than 3,000 square meters of such nets for the front!

      Your volunteer movement is called "Warmth from Home." Where did such a name come from? When our team was discussing a name, I had a dream. I was drawing hearts on a package for my husband and writing "Warmth from Home." Upon waking, I realized that it was a sign from above. Without hesitation, I informed the team of the new name, and they unanimously supported me.

      It all started with humanitarian aid in your home, but how did you find your headquarters? Here, I want to express my immense gratitude to the Head of the Munaykinsky rural settlement Kirillov Ruslan Mikhailovich (member of the "United Russia" party and deputy of the Mendeleevsky district council, author's note). As a deputy and Head of the settlement, he was a curator for my family and knew that I had started such work. One fine day, he called to check on us and see if we needed help, and then he said: "You know, we have a room in the village council that is empty. Shall we organize your headquarters there? Our girls will come to help you." At that moment, our movement found its home. Thanks to this person, we have our own space where we prepare humanitarian aid, where people come to help, and where fighters arrive with gifts and words of gratitude for the assistance.

      As far as I know, you experienced a tragedy in the form of a fire? Our guys on the front lines go through fire, water, and copper pipes every day. And we in the rear had to go through a similar trial. A wiring malfunction destroyed everything, absolutely everything. Since the beginning of mobilization, I had been collecting chevrons and flags from the guys as a keepsake, remembering the story of each of them. The loss of all this piecemeal collected history became the most painful. But this misfortune showed how much support we have from people. Iskandarov Robert Rinatovich (member of the "United Russia" party, Secretary of the Mendeleevsky local branch of the party, author's note) personally donated a large sum, calling on party members to assist in restoring the headquarters. Ruslan Mikhailovich organized all the necessary equipment and materials. Fighters on leave came and helped with the repairs with their own hands. All the residents of an entire district united to help us. We received donations of necessary items, funds were transferred, and any possible assistance was provided. After the fire, we changed our logo. A phoenix appeared on it. Like this bird, we rose from the ashes, becoming even stronger. After the fire, our Head of the settlement, Ruslan Mikhailovich, suggested that I run in the upcoming elections as a deputy from the "United Russia" party. He saw in me my love for my homeland, my determination and perseverance, my unity with the residents of the district. And I agreed. I joined the ranks of party members. And I thought to myself: "United front, united rear, United Russia."

      What changed in your life after you joined the party and became a deputy of the settlement? I am a very shy person. It was difficult for me to even think about approaching the district leadership for help. Local party branch staff contacted me, offering assistance and support in my volunteer activities. Galeeva Leisan Kamilovna (member of the "United Russia" party, head of the deputy faction in the district council, author's note) invited me to speak at a district council meeting, asking for support for the guys on the front lines. At that moment, I spoke before the deputies not only as a leader of the volunteer movement but also as a fellow deputy, as a party member. In 2 days, we closed a huge collection. The party is not something abstract; the party is people with the same political views. These are people who responded to the call for help, stood by us at the right moment, lent their shoulder, and provided maximum support.

      How did the idea come to you to personally go to the SVO zone with humanitarian aid? Apparently, after joining the party, I gained determination (laughs). At a meeting with Robert Rinatovich and Leisan Kamilovna, while discussing the collection of humanitarian aid, I simply realized for myself that I would go. A large shipment of equipment was planned, including to my husband's regiment. My soul was calling me. Party members supported my decision, promising to assist. When my husband got in touch, I told him: "I will come to you soon." I really wanted to see everything with my own eyes, to see how our guys live. I wanted to personally bring "Warmth from Home."

      What did you feel during the trip? Were you scared? There was no fear. There was adrenaline. I was eager to get there, to my husband and the guys. We brought huge boxes of chak-chak and treated the fighters at the checkpoints! They were so happy! And I prayed the whole way. But we safely reached the first destination. The guys came to meet me, laughed a lot, and hugged. There I felt like a real Grandfather Frost. Chak-chak, dry rations, equipment, and general humanitarian aid were all passed hand to hand. I pinned St. George's ribbons on their chests. Just seeing my fellow countrymen was incredible happiness! They served me tea in the dugout. And my husband also gave me tulips. Huge, beautiful ones that grow everywhere. But I have never received flowers more precious than these in my life.

      In this trip, there were also the Head of the district Robert Rinatovich and the district deputy Roland Thomasovich (member of the "United Russia" party and deputy of the Mendeleevsky district council, author's note). They personally unloaded building materials, equipment, and packages for the fighters. A low bow to these people. Not everyone would dare to go to Donbass. In the Mendeleevsky district, there is colossal support for the SVO fighters. No one remained indifferent. Throughout the trip, I felt a surge of adrenaline. An incredible sense of unity between the rear and the front engulfed me completely. Despite the explosions, I was not scared. Only when I returned home did I cry from the experiences and worries for my beloved husband. Returning from there, I realized how wonderful and safe we live here.

      Will you go again? Definitely! I have never regretted going. I only regret that I didn't dare to do it earlier. I don't know when we will send humanitarian aid next. But this trip helped not only to lift the spirits of our guys but also to understand why our volunteer movement exists and works.

      Now, as a deputy, you represent the interests of the SVO fighters and their families. Have you thought about what you will do after the SVO ends? Yes. I will engage in charity, help veterans and just people. Since childhood, I have not been able to be indifferent to the troubles of others. In the volunteer movement, I found my true self. And the party opened many doors for me. As a deputy, I will continue to work for the benefit of people. This is my calling!