A delicate request: Putin will give instructions on the protection of the reproductive health of his fighters

The reproductive health of ITS fighters and the use of messengers in the war zone were on the agenda of Vladimir Putin's meeting with women, which took place on the eve of March 8. According to the president, without communication, there can be no effective command of troops, and therefore no desired result. The Head of State also agreed on the need to pay attention to the rehabilitation and treatment of soldiers who have faced fertility problems. Experts even suggest that quotas for free IVF should be provided for the families of ITS participants.

Where do women work now

On the eve of International Women's Day, Vladimir Putin talked with women from different professions.

— We all know very well that in the traditions of almost all the peoples of the Russian Federation there is a special attitude towards women, a special one. First of all, the warmest, sincere attitude towards my mother, gratitude to my mother for her life, for upbringing, for attention, for warmth, are connected here. This is a special attitude towards girlfriends and wives," the president said.

Today, women, he said, are taking on responsibilities that have traditionally been attributed to men in Russia. At the same time, designers and military personnel, for example, were sitting at a common table.

— As far as I looked at the certificates before entering this hall, there are also artists who are directly connected with military activities, participate in propaganda brigades, perform in front of our fighters, in front of our guys, — said the president.

Women are expanding their representation in many industries, and there is no sphere in the modern world where they are not involved, Natalia Poluyanova, federal coordinator of the United Russia Women's Movement and State Duma deputy, told Izvestia. For example, in August 2025, Russian Marina Starovoitova became the world's first female captain of a nuclear icebreaker. The authorities are trying to make decisions that will help women achieve their professional goals. This is a revision of the kindergarten's operating mode, the inclusion of parental leave periods in the insurance record, and an increase in the number of various social benefits, the deputy recalled.

The meeting was held in an open format. The first speaker was Lieutenant Colonel of the Russian Aerospace Forces Irina Godunova, who called for the development of domestic types of communication, in particular, to finalize the national messenger Max. Then, according to her, "everything will be fine at the front." The Head of State is confident that the use of communications types beyond the control of Russia in the military area poses a danger to personnel.

— Without communication, there can be no effective command of troops, and therefore, the result we need. Starlink has been disabled. There are other issues related to communications, and there are also things that the enemy has been using so far, while we have used the appropriate technical capabilities that did not directly belong to us," Vladimir Putin added.

Reproductive health of soldiers

Military surgeon Yulia Mullagalieva drew attention to a rather delicate but very important issue. The participants of the SVO and their family members are concerned about protecting the reproductive health of military personnel. According to Mullagalieva, attention should be paid to reproductive technologies, as many fighters who have been injured in the pelvic organs are concerned about their future. The President promised to study the materials and give the necessary instructions to the Ministry of Health.

— I totally agree with that. The conditions in which the guys are fighting and serving are very harsh, that's understandable. Overcoming water obstacles, where they sleep on the ground and so on. It's hard work, among other things, besides the fact that it's dangerous to life and health, it's hard work. Therefore, this is a very important issue," the president confirmed.

The issue of fertility remains one of the most important in the comprehensive approach used to rehabilitate Russian military personnel, military medic Denis Kolyakin told Izvestia. In April 2025, the Minister of Health, Mikhail Murashko, announced that demobilized members of his military could undergo a reproductive health assessment.

— In modern warfare, mine-explosive and fragmentation injuries are more likely to cause urological and genital injuries. Attention to the problem is growing every day. Medical institutions of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health apply a set of measures for the rehabilitation of soldiers, including those at risk of fertility loss, from the acute hospital period to the stage of late recovery," military medic Denis Kolyakin explained to Izvestia.

According to the surgeon of the highest category, vice-president of the Society of Physicians of Russia, Eric Pozdnikov, the main cause of reproductive disorders in military personnel may be related to post-traumatic syndrome, the treatment of which remains the most important task of subsequent rehabilitation and socialization.

— Of course, assisted reproductive technologies are needed for veterans who are faced with the problem of fertility disorders. It is worthwhile to provide appropriate quotas for the participants of the SVR for free assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), " he told Izvestia.

Now civilian healthcare helps with the work of military medical commissions, and civilian doctors see from their own experience how much civilian work differs from combat work. However, despite the absence of refusals of assistance from civilian medical institutions, sometimes difficulties arise at the legal level and the legislative part needs to be worked out. The President promised to look at the regulatory framework on this issue.