Ukrainian women embrace combat roles as technology reshapes the battlefield

(6 Dec 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kharkiv region - 5 November 2025 
1. Various of servicewoman of 3rd Assault Brigade "Monka" preparing a FPV drone for a training flight 
2. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) "Monka", 26, FPV drone operator of 3rd Assault Brigade: 
++PART OVERLAID BY SHOT 1++
"I worked abroad. I decided to join the army because I always wanted to, and a year ago I completely decided to join. For three years I went on different courses, to different training (sessions), chose who I wanted to become and tried myself out as a pilot and I liked it."
3. Wide of servicemen of unmanned systems regiment "Kraken 1654" of 3rd Army Corps preparing a bomber drone for a training flight 
4. Various of servicewoman of unmanned systems regiment "Kraken 1654" of 3rd Army Corps "Imla" looking at the remote control 
5. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) "Imla", 27, bomber drone pilot of unmanned systems regiment "Kraken 1654":
++PART OVERLAID BY SHOT 4++
"There are a lot of stereotypes, a lot of people say that women are not accepted into the army, but I joined the 3rd Assault Brigade back then and there is a spirit of brotherhood here, everyone here has the same goal, everyone supports you. During training and exercises, I felt this support, that I could make a mistake, that I would be supported at any moment, and it all came easily here."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kharkiv region - 6 November 2025
6. Servicewoman of Khartiia Brigade "Muse" inside tank
7. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) "Muse", 44, signal woman in Khartiia Brigade:
++PART OVERLAID BY SHOTS 8, 9++
"Of course, I had to learn a new profession from scratch, because as you know, teaching at school and signals are slightly different things. So I'm actually learning from scratch. I can't say that I know everything, but I'm trying. I have a great team, guys who help me, give me advice, teach me, and over time I get more and more information and I really like it."
8. Various of "Muse" checking the signal
9. Close of chevrons on uniform  
10. Close of hand
STORYLINE:
When Russia’s full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago, a 26-year-old soldier known as Monka didn’t see a combat role she could do.

But that changed as technology reshaped the battlefield and opened new paths.

Last year she joined the military as a pilot of short-range, first-person view, or FPV, drones after, giving up a job managing a restaurant abroad and returning home to Ukraine to serve.

Her shift is part of a larger trend of more women joining Ukraine's military in combat roles, a change made possible by the technological transformation of modern warfare, military officials say.

"For three years I went on different courses, to different training (sessions), chose who I wanted to become and tried myself out as a pilot and I liked it," said Monka, who serves in the Unmanned Systems Battalion of the Third Army Corps.

She and other women followed Ukraine’s military protocol by identifying themselves using only their call signs.

More than 70,000 women served in Ukraine's military in 2025, a 20% increase compared to 2022, including over 5,500 deployed directly on the front line, according to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.

Some units have tailored recruitment efforts toward women, expanding rosters in a sign that Ukraine is looking to strengthen and expand its army even as peace negotiations weigh a possible cap on the future size of the military.

Leaders in the capital Kyiv, as well as many soldiers like Monka, see the army as one of the few security guarantees that Ukraine has against Russia.






















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