Ukraine now has more than 70,000 women serving in its armed forces, marking a 20% increase since 2022, as modern battlefield technology—especially drones—opens new combat and technical roles for women.
According to Ukrainian military officials, over 5,500 women are deployed on the front lines, a historic shift driven largely by the rapid integration of drone operations into warfare.
The surge comes amid heavy casualties sustained during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky estimated that around 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and nearly 390,000 wounded since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Technology Expands Opportunities
Drones have emerged as a key factor in enabling women to participate more actively in combat without traditional frontline exposure.
Monka, 26, an FPV drone pilot in the Third Army Corps, said modern systems have transformed battlefield roles.
“Technology lets us deliver ammunition without carrying it in our hands or running to the front line — that’s incredible,” she told The New York Post. Monka left her job in restaurant management abroad to return home and enlist.
Similarly, Yaha, a 25-year-old bomber-drone pilot with the 9th Brigade, said she initially faced hesitation when applying for drone courses.
“I liked that you could strike the enemy remotely. I thought this was our future,” she said, adding that war remains “pain, suffering and loss,” despite the technological evolution.
Women Transitioning From Support to Combat Roles
Former professional hockey player Imla, 27, began as a combat medic before moving to drone reconnaissance. She described her first mission as overwhelming:
“I even wanted to cry at some moments. But with experience, you start feeling confident,” she told ABC News.
Recruitment Drives Boost Female Participation
Units such as the Khartiia Corps have launched dedicated recruitment campaigns aimed at women, reporting a 20% rise in female soldiers since 2024.
“In recent months, dozens of women have joined us in combat roles and are working successfully,” said Khartiia public affairs officer Volodymyr Dehtyarov. “The more technology we have, the more historically male professions open up.”
Ukraine has also rolled out a nationwide media campaign seeking to recruit 15,000 personnel, including women, for both combat and non-combat roles, as the war continues to reshape the country’s military structure.
