Name: Ukraines recruitment effort expands to women amid Russian invasion
Uploaded: 2025-12-07T16:21:29.611Z
Duration: 1 min 36 s
Description: Struggling to recruit new soldiers as Russia presses on with its large-scale invasion, Ukraine has expanded its recruitment campaign among women.

Struggling to recruit new soldiers as Russia presses on with its large-scale invasion, Ukraine has expanded its recruitment campaign among women.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine has expanded its military recruitment efforts to include more women in response to ongoing manpower shortages during Russia's invasion. Women are taking on roles such as drone operators, medics, and trainers, with their numbers in the armed forces rising by 20% since the conflict began.

Currently, women represent about 7% of Ukraine's soldiers and are primarily recruited for technological and support roles. Unlike men, women in Ukraine are not obligated to serve, but their participation has become increasingly vital to the country's defense strategy.

Ukraine's recruitment effort expands to women amid Russian invasion

Regular training in a forest near Kharkiv. The soldier, known as Manka, enrolled in a combat unit last year to help those trying to stop Russia's full-scale invasion of her country, Ukraine. Until then, the 26-year-old lived abroad, managing a restaurant. She now operates drones. I wouldn't be able to carry all of a soldier's equipment. My maximum is 20 kilograms, and I wouldn't be able to carry it very far. The fact that technology lets us deliver ammunition without carrying it in our hands, or running it to the front line, that's incredible. Facing manpower shortages, especially compared with Russia's massive recruitment campaigns, Ukraine has turned to women developing combat units that operate drones. 70,000 of Ukraine's soldiers are women, a number that grew by 20% since Russia's invasion. I was a platoon medic for half a year, filling in for medical positions. But I also had to fly a drone. I managed to fly a Mavic in parallel with these medical trips. And everything led to where I am now. Women are recruited in technological positions and as trainers, among other military jobs. They represent about 7% of overall soldiers. Unlike men, they have no obligation to serve.

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Ukraine's recruitment effort expands to women amid Russian invasion

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Ukraine Invasion