Ukrainian Women Embrace Combat Roles in Response to Technological Changes on the Battlefield

KHARKIV, Ukraine When Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, a 26-year-old soldier known by the call sign Monka couldnt imagine a combat role that suited her. That changed as rapid technological advances transformed warfare and opened new opportunities. Last year, she enlisted as a pilot of short-range first-person-view (FPV) drones, leaving her job managing a restaurant abroad to return home and serve.

Her decision reflects a broader trend: more Ukrainian women are stepping into combat positions as modern military technology reduces the need for traditional physical strength, according to military officials. Technology allows us to deliver ammunition without carrying it by hand or running to the front line its incredible, said Monka, who serves in the Unmanned Systems Battalion of the Third Army Corps.

Ukraines Defense Ministry reports that more than 70,000 women served in the armed forces in 2025, a 20% rise since 2022, with over 5,500 deployed on the front line. Some units are actively adjusting recruitment programs to attract more women, signaling Ukraines intention to reinforce its military even as peace talks consider future force limits. For many in Kyiv and across the front, the army remains a crucial security guarantee against Russia.

We need everyone engineers, pilots, IT specialists, programmers. Its not about gender; its about people ready to work hard, Monka said.

More women enter combat roles as tech evolves

Drone piloting has become one of the most sought-after combat roles among women, officials say. Imla, a 27-year-old from the Kraken 1654 unit, transitioned from professional hockey to military service expecting to become a combat medic. Her training required drone skills, and what began with small devices soon escalated to operating larger drones capable of carrying explosives. Eventually, she moved fully into drone operations.

She recalls her first drone mission a reconnaissance flight with trembling hands and overwhelming nerves. But experience brought confidence. The Khartiia Corps, which has seen a 20% rise in female recruits since 2024, recently launched a campaign with the Dignitas Foundation to encourage women to join combat and tech-focused positions. Dozens of women have joined us in combat roles and are performing exceptionally, said spokesperson Volodymyr Dehtyarov. As technology expands, roles once seen as male-only are opening up.

The unit now trains officers to effectively lead mixed-gender and mixed-age teams, which Dehtyarov says enhances leadership quality.

Persistent barriers remain

Despite progress, some women still encounter resistance within the traditionally conservative military structure. Yaha, a 25-year-old soldier, joined in 2023 and initially worked as a clerk. When she asked to train on drones, her commanders suggested she become a cook instead. Disappointed but determined, she spent her personal time studying drone manuals, practicing on simulators, and training in computer clubs with a controller she bought herself. She now serves as a bomber-drone pilot in the 9th Brigade.

War isnt glamorous. Its pain and loss. You do it because you want change, she said. Youre not invincible youre just human.

Chibi, a 20-year-old FPV technician with the Khartiia Brigade, prepares drones in a damp basement near the eastern front. Early on, some soldiers doubted her technical abilities because she was a woman. But a supportive colleague helped her develop skills that she now finds even more engaging than piloting. We need more women in the army, she said. The more women who serve, the better the environment becomes.

Growing demand for women in tech-focused units

According to Olha Meloshyna, spokesperson for Ukraines Unmanned Systems Forces, the belief that drone operators face minimal danger is false Russian forces actively target them. Still, women continue moving into fields like drone operation, repair, and electronic warfare as drones become central to reconnaissance and strikes.

Women make up 4.2% of the Unmanned Systems Forces, a figure Meloshyna considers meaningful because participation is voluntary. We are part of a new army created during the invasion. We have no gender barriers desire and motivation matter, she said.

The unit is conducting a media-driven recruitment campaign aiming to enlist 15,000 people, including women, for both combat and support roles. Unmanned Systems is built by people men and women, Meloshyna said. No drone operates on its own. The more people we train, the more drones will fly toward Russia.

Author: Aiden Foster