A Russian mother who lost her son in the war in Ukraine received a meat grinder as a gift from officials in Murmansk, triggering widespread criticism on social media.
The gift was presented as part of a campaign called “Flowers for the mothers of heroes,” which was organised by United Russia’s Murmansk branch and local mayor Maksim Chengayev.
Alongside the meat grinder, organisers also gave out household appliances and floral bouquets to bereaved mothers. Photos of the event, shared on United Russia’s social media pages, showed the woman posing with the gifts. The gesture quickly drew backlash, with many calling it demeaning.
“I will never believe that grief-stricken mothers asked United Russia for a meat grinder… in exchange for their dead son,” activist Violetta Grudina wrote on Telegram, expressing outrage at the perceived insensitivity of the act, reported New York Post.
In response to the backlash, United Russia’s Murmansk branch posted a video of the mother thanking them for the gift, claiming she had wanted to buy a meat grinder herself. The party defended the initiative, urging the public “not to support inhumane and provocative interpretations” of the campaign.
Mayor Chengayev later clarified that the meat grinder was not part of the standard gift package but was specifically requested by the mother. He insisted that various household appliances were distributed as part of the campaign.
Despite these explanations, the controversy has not faded. Many critics pointed out the disturbing symbolism of the gift. The term “meat grinder” has become closely associated with Russia’s high-casualty military tactics, particularly in battles like Bakhmut, where Wagner mercenaries had even issued “Bakhmut meat grinder” medals to their fighters.
