The Women on the Front Lines in Ukraine

As Vladimir Putin and the Russian army continue to wage war on Ukraine, the country has been forced to band together and fight back. CNN reports that “At least 474 civilians, including 29 children, have been killed in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24,” and that number continues to grow every day. Many Ukrainian civilians, including women, have enlisted in the military since Russia’s brutal arrival in the country.

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, it is important to show support and appreciation for the women on the front lines in Ukraine.

The tension between Russia and Ukraine began to arise in 2014 when Russia illegally annexed Crimea, a peninsula on the Black Sea in Eastern Europe. The Wall Street Journal informs that “Women now make up 15% of the armed forces,” in Ukraine.

Putting up a fight is nothing new for Ukrainian women. Back in 2014, Ukrainian women were not able to join the military, however, when Russia annexed Crimea, their involvement started to change.

“They worked as snipers and combat medics and soldiers to defend their homes in a time of crisis,” Slate reports, “But because the military did not officially employ women in those positions, they were never listed in military records as snipers and combat medics and soldiers.”

Regarding their underrepresentation, In 2017 Ukrainian women began the Ukrainian Women Veteran Movement that advocates for equal opportunities in the military. By 2018, their efforts caught the attention of Ukrainian legislators, and a law was passed that allowed women to move up in the ranks.

Since then, the women of Ukraine have proven their strength through intensive combat training, and now they are ready to fight back against the Russian efforts. The video below is a message from the women on the front lines in the Ukrainian military.

“We have already taken our children to safety,” says the Ukrainian soldier, “The future of our nation is reliably protected.”

Not only are Ukrainian women making significant efforts in combat for Ukraine’s freedom, but they are working in other aspects around the country. Women working in the hospitals, collecting food rations, protecting their children, and protesting against Putin and the Russian army deserve to be appreciated as well.

The video below from The New York Times gives insight into what it is like for civilian women in Ukraine since the Russian invasion.

Going forward, it is imperative to show support to the women of Ukraine and the country as a whole. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the war, but one thing is for sure—these women are not giving up. As they continue to fight for their freedom, we must continue to empower these front-line women.

We encourage you to check out this article on ways you can help Ukraine.