As early as 1 October, official Russian Federation Ministry of Defense publications began publishing information promoting an Armed Forces Mental Health Support Hotline. Specifically aimed at soldiers returning from the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine and their families, the announcement states that hotline operators will provide cost-free, around-the-clock mental health assistance and informational psychological support to all returning service members and their families.
The announcement is a drab, text-only notification of the availability of the support line, which is in start contrast to the dynamic advertisements in the same publications that promise bonuses for young men signing up to become part of the “denazification” effort.
A brief glance through Russian Internet resources suggest that the hotline was in place as early as late June 2025. The search also reveals that colorful pamphlets have been published for family members, but none of the pamphlets or other literature suggest that this is also for family members of those killed in the war with Ukraine, nor are there assertions that persons reaching out will speak with “operators” who are fully trained or licensed therapists.
Some individual Oblasts and regions have created their own more eye-catching advertising…
…while others opted for more perplexing imagery.
© 2025 by Michael Estes and TranslatingHistory.org
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