Mothers of Russia: portrayals of Russian women soldiers between 2008 and 2021

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the gendered representations of Russian women soldiers in the official newspaper of the Russian Armed Forces, Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star), and how these narratives benefit the Russian military. I approach this topic in the context of International Women’s Day, a revealing showcase of representations. The narrative approach and discourse analysis focus on articles published in Krasnaya Zvezda between 2008, when the military reform began, and 2021 to gain a broad understanding of the representations of women in the modern Russian army. Women are not conscripted in Russia, but they can serve as contract soldiers. Despite celebratory speeches mirroring international narratives on gender equality, on closer reading, stereotypical narratives and discourses still put women in auxiliary positions in the Russian military because of their assumed motherhood. Portrayals of modern women soldiers are based on the traditional archetype of Rodina-mat’ (“the Motherland”/“Mother Russia”), the sacred symbol of Russia, which is itself a feminized subject of protection that ties women to this position. This makes the integration of women soldiers into the armed forces culturally specific in Russia. By attaching different meanings to Rodina-mat’, the Russian military authorities regulate women’s positions and roles in the military and war work.