Ukrainian women embrace combat roles as technology reshapes the battlefield

KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP) — When Russia’s full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago, the 26-year-old soldier known as Monka couldn’t see a combat role he could do. But this has changed as technology has reshaped the battlefield and opened new avenues.

Last year, he joined the military as a short-range, first-person view, or FPV, drone pilot after leaving a restaurant management job abroad and returning to Ukraine to serve.

Military officials say her change is part of a larger trend toward more women joining the Ukrainian military in combat roles, a change made possible by the technological transformation of modern warfare.

“It’s incredible that technology allows us to deliver ammunition without carrying it in our hands or taking it to the front line,” said Monka, who serves in the Third Army Corps Unmanned Systems Battalion. She and the other women followed Ukraine’s military protocol by identifying themselves using only call signs.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, more than 70,000 women served in the Ukrainian army in 2025; this number is up 20% compared to 2022; more than 5,500 of them were assigned directly to the front line.

Some units have expanded their ranks and targeted recruitment toward women, a sign that Ukraine wants to strengthen and expand its military even as peace negotiations set a possible limit on the army’s future size.

Many soldiers like Monka, as well as leaders in the capital Kiev, see the military as one of the few security guarantees Ukraine has against Russia.

“We need everyone; engineers, pilots, IT experts, programmers, we just need brains. It’s not about men or women. We need people who are ready to work hard,” he said.

More women seek combat work as technology changes

Drone piloting is one of the most popular combat professions chosen by women in the Ukrainian army, military officials said.

When Imla, of unit Kraken 1654, abandoned his career as a professional hockey player and joined the army, the 27-year-old initially planned to become a combat medic.

He spent his first six months as a platoon medic, but the job required learning to fly drones. He started with small models before moving on to larger bomb-carrying models, eventually moving into full-time drone work.

Imla clearly remembers her first drone flight, a reconnaissance mission. When they gave him the remote control, he was so nervous that his hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

“Honestly, at some moments I even wanted to cry,” he recalled. “But over time you gain experience on the job and you start to gain confidence.”

The Khartiia Corps has welcomed more women into its ranks, reporting a 20% increase since 2024. About six months ago, the brigade launched a recruitment campaign targeting women for combat and technological roles, in collaboration with the Dignitas Foundation, a charity that supports Ukraine by funding technological innovation and civil development projects.

“Dozens of women have joined us in combat missions in recent months and are working successfully,” said Khartia Corps public relations officer Volodymyr Dehtyarov. “The more we have technology like drones, the more historically male professions become more prominent.”

Khartiia began training officers and future commanders on how to work with mixed units made up of people of different ages, genders and backgrounds, which Dehtyarov said helped commanders become more effective leaders.

Women still face barriers

The Ukrainian military remains conservative at heart, and some units do not make it easy for women.

A 25-year-old soldier with the call sign Yaha, he joined the army in 2023 and initially did paperwork as an army clerk. Three months later, he started wanting to attend drone courses. The commanders at the time were not very keen on this offer and suggested that he replace the cook instead.

“It was an unpleasant situation for me because I did not expect such uncomfortable conditions, such strict restrictions,” Yaha said.

He spent his free time in the kitchen studying drone manuals, practicing on a simulator and training in computer clubs with a controller he bought for himself.

“I like that you can attack the enemy from a distance,” he said. “So I thought this was our future.”

He eventually became a bomber pilot in the 9th Brigade.

“War isn’t cool or flashy. It’s pain, suffering and loss. You only do it because you want to change the situation,” he said. “But you’re not invincible. You’re human like everyone else.”

Chibi, a 20-year-old FPV technician from the Khartiia Brigade, prepares drones for the battlefield from a dark, damp basement near the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

Initially, she faced prejudice from soldiers who claimed that her technical skills were inadequate because she was a woman. But she also had a supportive male colleague who helped her take the first steps towards becoming an FPV technician, which she found more interesting than being a pilot.

“There need to be more women in the military,” Chibi said, dyeing her hair pink and dark blue. “The more women there are, the better the attitude towards them.”

The military needs more women

Ukrainian Unmanned System Forces spokeswoman Olha Meloshyna says the belief that drone roles are safer is wrong. The Russians are actively hunting drone operators.

Their units are seeing more women moving into technological roles, including drone operation, drone repair and electronic warfare, as drones become one of the main means of attack and reconnaissance on the battlefield.

According to Meloshyna, 4.2% of Unmanned System Forces are women; He thinks this number is important because women voluntarily enlist in the military.

“We are part of the new Ukrainian army formed during the occupation. Therefore, we have never had a division regarding gender-based admission to the Armed Forces. What is important for us is desire and motivation,” he said.

He said they are now running a more media-focused recruitment campaign, planning to invite and hire 15,000 people, including women. Employers say women are applying for both combat and non-combat positions.

“The Unmanned System Force is a system and consists of men and women,” Meloshyna said. “No drone is autonomous. It requires human intervention. And the more personnel we have, the more drones will fly towards Russia.”