How Ukrainian women are defending Ukraine: Zelenskyy posts a video

Mykhailo Zahorodnii — FRIDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2022

The United24 platform, which is raising funds for the Ukrainian army around the world, has posted a video about the Ukrainian women defenders serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to the video, praising the women of Ukraine for defending their country.

"When it comes to protecting freedom, it doesn't matter whether you are a man or a woman. And our citizens and our struggle have proven that.

Ukrainian women, on an equal footing with men, are defending their native land and performing the most difficult tasks. Our army was and is one of those with the largest number of women in its ranks," Zelenskyy wrote.

The video focuses on women who have become true professionals in their field, among them combat doctors, tankers, gunners, and snipers.

More than 50,000 women are currently serving in the Ukrainian army. 37,000 are military personnel and 13,000 are working in the army in civilian positions.

At the same time, approximately 5,000 female defenders are serving on the front line, including officers.

"From the first few seconds of the full-scale invasion when they try to destroy our country, war is no longer women’s or men’s business, it is the business of the citizens of this country," says Iryna, a journalist who is currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

United24 also told the story of Tetiana Ostashchenko, the commander of the Medical Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who became the first female general in the Ukrainian army.

This is unusual not just for Ukraine, but anywhere in the world. For example, it was not until 2018, in Slovenia, that the first woman was appointed to the rank of general in a NATO country.

Women now make up 22% of the Ukrainian army, which is one of the highest figures among European countries.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Become our patron, support our work!