On March 5th, a special event took place in the Ural region to honor female military medics and the wives of soldiers involved in the special military operation (SVO). Volunteers, including employees from the company “Sima-Land” in cooperation with the Central Military District command, distributed over 4,500 tulips throughout Yekaterinburg, recognizing the sacrifices and support of these women.
The volunteers, many of whom were men, carefully arranged the flowers into bouquets and personally delivered them across the city in large boxes. Among the participants was Nikita Grishin, a young man who served nearly three years in the SVO, returned with serious injuries, and now works to support his fellow colleagues. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging those waiting for their loved ones on the frontlines and expressed a desire to bring warmth and happiness on the eve of International Women’s Day.
Vlad Grachev, the creative team leader at the distribution center, also highlighted the significance of flowers as a traditional gesture to brighten women’s days, especially to welcome spring after a long winter. Despite men handling most of the flower deliveries, many female volunteers actively participated. Alena Emelyanova, an illustrator involved in the campaign, noted the profound need for attention towards these women given the ongoing deployment of their closest family members.
Preparations for the holiday included more than just flower giving. The company behind the initiative has consistently supported SVO participants by sending humanitarian convoys and organizing patriotic events, including concert tours to the operation zone. On this occasion, special recognition was given to Darya, the wife of a warehouse packer who has been supported by the company since her husband’s deployment. She shared how meaningful it was to receive help while managing alone at home with a child.
Medical staff at the 354th Military Clinical Hospital also received special attention, with nearly 400 female medical workers congratulated during the event. Volunteers expressed their gratitude for the doctors’ and nurses’ dedication and demanding work. Acting Deputy Commander for Military-Political Work of the Central Military District, Colonel Vitaly Shopaga, thanked the medical personnel for their tireless efforts in treating wounded servicemen and facilitating their recovery.
Colonel Sergey Yashin, head of the 354th Military Hospital, described the female staff as “the golden link” crucial to the hospital’s overall work and the quality of medical care provided. The program included a concert by soloists from the Central Military District’s song and dance ensemble. Employees who stood out during their service received honorary certificates and medals, including thoracic surgeon Natalia Mashkina.
Mashkina explained the distinct challenges of working with military trauma versus civilian cases. She stressed the importance of empathy and attention, explaining that kindness, a smile, and skilled hands help patients recover faster. Due to work responsibilities, not all hospital staff could attend the ceremony, so volunteers made sure to personally congratulate those on duty.
In addition, volunteers took the opportunity to honor Vera Kuzminichna Maksimova, a World War II veteran who joined the partisan movement at age 12 and participated in the conflict until victory. Her story represents a powerful symbol of resilience and dedication.
This coordinated celebration demonstrated the ongoing support for families connected to the special military operation and highlighted the critical role of women in both medical and social spheres within the military community on the Ural front.
Read more at: www.e1.ru
