Ukrainian Women on Front Lines: Defending Home
While war is often said to have no feminine face, out of the over 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers fighting to defend their country, about 20 percent are women.
Most hold supporting positions, assisting combat troops. However, a growing number fight side-by-side with men against the Russian invaders.
Thousands of women volunteered for the Ukrainian army as early as 10 years ago, after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. Following the full-blown invasion, their numbers doubled. Some women now fight on the front lines alongside men, but the army is still integrating them fully.
One such woman is Oleksandra, a sniper who traded her bakery job for a rifle. Training on a 100-metre range, she knows on the front lines her targets can be over a kilometre away. This job requires not only skill but also a particular mindset. Many still doubt her ability simply because she's a woman, but Oleksandra is resolute: "I see the invader who came to our land to destroy our country, our people. Nothing more."
Women have a long history of service in the Ukrainian armed forces, but few have participated directly in combat. Another soldier featured here, filming the fight near Avdiivka, exemplifies this shift. After hours of holding the line against a Russian assault, Ukrainian soldiers evacuate the wounded to safety.
Olena, a press officer before the war, enlisted and now serves in an infantry unit. She had to fight for a frontline position. The war has changed her life dramatically. "Here you feel life more intensely, with every fibre of your being," she explains. "They asked me, 'Do you really want to go to the front line? It's difficult.' But I don't care what the commanders think! I know for sure that I can do it."
Olena's bravery earned her a medal from President Zelensky. She also shares videos from the front lines on social media, determined to show the war's true face.
Sniper Oleksandra lives in temporary housing with her military husband. She emphasises the importance of calmness and invisibility for snipers. Women, she suggests, might be more restrained in showing emotions than men, but they are equally skilled and strategic. "They carefully analyse each task, don't act in a hurry, and carry out orders with a clear mind," she says.
While not everyone in the army agrees with this assessment, the number of women serving their country has doubled in the last two years. These brave Ukrainian women are proving their dedication and skill on the front lines, fighting alongside men to defend their home.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
