Women constitute a considerable part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: more than 40,000 women are serving in the army at the moment, and 8,000 of them are officers. More than 5,000 women are in active combat areas, as Commander of the Joint Forces of the AFU, Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev emphasized on October 14, the Day of Defenders and Defendresses of Ukraine.
Since the Russian large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the number of women who have voluntarily joined the Ukrainian military has surged, even though they aren’t required to serve in the army. Ukrainian women fearlessly perform various military tasks to repel Russian armed aggression on par with men, serving as battery commanders, commanders of platoons and units of unmanned aviation, as well as snipers.
UCMC has talked to Ukrainian defendresses about their experience serving in the AFU and what motivated them to make such a selfless decision. The heroines talk of their background before the full-scale war, their experience of discrimination in the Armed Forces, and share inspiring moments of their service.
Guests:
- Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, a well-known Ukrainian paramedic, recently was released from Russian captivity
- Olena Bilozerska, Sniper and participant in the Russian-Ukrainian war since 2014
- Alina Sarnatska, first aid responder, Ukrainian Armed Forces (manager of a public organization and postgraduate student of social work in her civilian life)
- Nata Kit, voluntary serves in Ukrainian Armed Forces (director and producer in her civilian life)
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.
How you can help Ukraine against Russian aggression:
👉🏻 Come back alive – https://bit.ly/3Ct6O2L (works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics etc);
👉🏻 CO Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation – https://bit.ly/3Svas1G (purchases supplies for Ukrainian army, such as armor, ammunition, first-aid kits, cars and ATV, humanitarian aid for civilians, and food for animals);
👉🏻 UNITED 24 – https://bit.ly/3M2mXiT (was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs)
👉🏻 Army SOS – https://bit.ly/3UYK168 (manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. and delivers all goods directly);
👉🏻 Vostok SOS – https://bit.ly/3Ruut75 (raising funds for various needs of the army);
👉🏻 Phoenix Wings – https://bit.ly/3RvWSd0 (the appropriate equipment & uniform, personal non-lethal protection (vests, helmets), required treatment of the wounded soldiers, and repair of the buildings used by the army).