Mariana, a Russian woman whose name has been changed for safety, wrote a letter to President Vladimir Putin after police failed to act on her reports of domestic violence by her ex-husband, Ivan. The case highlights ongoing issues with domestic violence protections in Russia, where laws decriminalizing some forms of abuse have been criticized by activists.
According to the original report by ABC's Riley Stuart and Anna-Maria Tesfaye, Mariana's ex-husband subjected her to violent assaults. Despite her repeated calls to police, officers did not intervene effectively, leading her to appeal directly to the president. The letter, sent in 2025, has not yet received a public response from the Kremlin.
Domestic violence remains a sensitive issue in Russia. In 2017, the country decriminalized some forms of domestic battery, making first offenses punishable by fines rather than jail time. Activists say this has emboldened abusers and discouraged victims from seeking help. Mariana's case is one of many where victims feel the system fails them.
The story underscores the challenges faced by Russian women in seeking justice. While Putin has signed some laws aimed at protecting victims, enforcement remains weak. Mariana's letter to Putin reflects a desperate attempt to get attention from the highest level of government when local authorities do not respond.
As of May 2026, no official action has been reported in Mariana's case. The ABC report serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for domestic violence victims in Russia, where cultural and legal barriers persist.
