A public complaint has been filed with guardianship authorities in Miass, Russia, against Oksana Lytkina, a mother of three, for embarking on a three-month solo hiking trip. The anonymous complaint, lodged by someone using the pseudonym “Anon,” alleges that Lytkina violated safety rules and neglected her parental responsibilities by leaving her two minor children with relatives while she undertakes the 2,300-kilometer journey.

The complainant urged the guardianship department to conduct “preventive and educational conversations” with Lytkina, suggesting that her “PR and showing off” are more important than her maternal instinct. The appeal, posted in several Miass online communities, sparked heated debate about the appropriateness of a mother undertaking such a journey.

Lytkina, who works as a journalist and uses the pseudonym “Oksana Solo” on social media, is trekking from Mount Polkovnik in the Orenburg region to the Dyatlov Pass. Her two minor children, aged 12 and 16, are staying with their father and grandmother during her absence. Lytkina’s eldest child is 22 years old and lives independently.

Supporters of Lytkina argue that she is entitled to pursue her passions and that her children are well-cared for in her absence. They point out that fathers often leave their children for extended periods without facing similar scrutiny. Detractors, however, believe that her priority should be her children and that such a dangerous trip is irresponsible.

Lytkina responded to the criticism on her VKontakte page with humor, assuring concerned citizens that her children are “fed, clothed, busy, and not seen in attempts to escape to the taiga.” She added that her route is planned to minimize the burden on rescue services and that “traveling is cool, and motherhood should not become a cage.”

Lawyer Sergei Teterin believes that there are no grounds for the guardianship authorities to intervene, as the children are being cared for by responsible adult relatives. He compared the situation to a similar attack on traveler Fedor Konyukhov, which turned out to be orchestrated by competitors. Attempts to reach Lytkina for comment during her hike have been unsuccessful due to limited connectivity in remote areas.