Ukrainian women embrace combat roles as technology reshapes the battlefield

In the shadow of Ukraine’s nearly four-year-old conflict with Russia, a quiet revolution is taking place on the battlefield. Women are increasingly joining combat roles in the Ukrainian military, with technology serving as the great equalizer.

“The fact that technology lets us deliver ammunition without carrying it in our hands or running it to the front line — that’s incredible,” says Monka, a 26-year-old soldier who abandoned her career managing a restaurant abroad to return to Ukraine and join the Unmanned Systems Battalion as a drone pilot.

Ukraine’s military has seen a significant increase in female participation, with over 70,000 women serving in 2025—a 20% rise since 2022. More than 5,500 of these women are deployed directly on the front lines, according to the country’s Defense Ministry.

This shift comes at a critical juncture as Ukraine looks to strengthen its armed forces while peace negotiations potentially consider limiting the future size of the military. For many Ukrainians, including soldiers like Monka, the army represents one of the few security guarantees against Russian aggression.

“We need everyone — engineers, pilots, IT specialists, programmers, we simply need brains. It’s not about men or women. We need people who are ready to work hard,” Monka explains from her position in the Third Army Corps.

Military officials report that drone operation has become one of the most popular combat roles chosen by women. The technological transformation of modern warfare has created pathways that were previously unavailable or considered unsuitable for female soldiers.

Imla, a 27-year-old former professional hockey player, initially joined the Kraken 1654 unit as a combat paramedic. Her role evolved when she learned to fly drones for her medical work, eventually transitioning to full-time drone operations.

“To be honest, I even wanted to cry in some moments,” she recalls about her first reconnaissance mission. “But then, over time, you build up experience on the job and start feeling confident.”

Some units have specifically tailored recruitment efforts toward women. The Khartiia Corps reports a 20% increase in female personnel since 2024, following a targeted campaign launched six months ago in cooperation with the Dignitas Foundation.

“In recent months, dozens of women have joined us in combat roles and are working successfully,” says Volodymyr Dehtyarov, the Khartiia Corps public affairs officer. “The more technology we have, like drones, the more historically male professions open up.”

The unit has also begun training officers to work effectively with diverse units, including people of different ages, genders, and backgrounds. This initiative aims to create more effective leadership within the changing military structure.

Despite these advances, female soldiers continue to face obstacles in the traditionally conservative Ukrainian military. Yaha, a 25-year-old soldier, joined in 2023 and initially worked as an army clerk. When she expressed interest in drone training, her commanders suggested she replace the cook instead.

Undeterred, Yaha spent her free time studying drone manuals and practicing on simulators. “I liked that you could strike the enemy remotely,” she explains. “So I thought this was our future.” Her persistence eventually paid off, and she now serves as a bomber-drone pilot with the 9th Brigade.

Chibi, a 20-year-old FPV technician from the Khartiia Brigade, prepares drones for battle from a damp basement near the eastern front line. With her distinctively pink and dark blue hair, she represents the changing face of Ukraine’s military. Though she initially faced prejudice from male soldiers questioning her technical abilities, she had supportive colleagues who helped her develop her skills.

“There needs to be more women in the army,” Chibi argues. “The more women there are, the better the attitude toward them will be.”

Olha Meloshyna, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, dispels the notion that drone roles offer safer alternatives to traditional combat positions. “Russians actively hunt drone operators,” she warns. Her unit has seen increasing numbers of women entering technological roles, including drone operation, repair, and electronic warfare.

Women currently make up 4.2% of the Unmanned Systems Forces, a figure Meloshyna considers significant given that all female personnel enlist voluntarily. The unit is now conducting a media-focused recruitment campaign with plans to add 15,000 new members, including women in both combat and support roles.

“We are part of the new Ukrainian army that formed during the invasion. So in terms of gender-based acceptance into the Armed Forces, we have never had any division—what matters to us is desire and motivation,” Meloshyna emphasizes.

As Ukraine continues to leverage technology in its defense strategy, the role of women on the battlefield will likely expand further. “The Unmanned Systems Forces are a system made up of people—men and women,” Meloshyna concludes. “No drone is autonomous. It needs human involvement. And the more personnel we have, the more drones will fly toward Russia.”