As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine approaches its fourth year, a significant shift is occurring within Ukraine’s military ranks, where an increasing number of women are joining the fight. This change is largely facilitated by advancements in modern warfare.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the year 2025 sees over 70,000 women serving in the military, marking a 20% increase since 2022. This surge comes as the nation continues to grapple with the prolonged impacts of Russia’s aggressive actions.

Back in 2022, when Vladimir Putin initiated his full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian response was immediate and vigorous, with countless young men flocking to recruitment centers, driven by a strong sense of patriotism. However, the ensuing years have taken a heavy toll on Ukraine’s armed forces.

In the wake of significant casualties—President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported that approximately 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives, with at least another 390,000 wounded—the military has shifted its recruitment strategy. This new focus is aimed at women, capitalizing on the opportunities that modern technology and warfare present in roles traditionally dominated by men.

Thanks to modern warfare and technology opening up traditionally male army roles, the military has tailored its recruitment push to women over the last few months.

Drone pilots in particular have been one of the military’s most popular combat roles for women, according to military officials.

“The fact that technology lets us deliver ammunition without carrying it in our hands or running it to the front line, that’s incredible,” Monka, 26, who serves in the Unmanned Systems Battalion of Ukraine’s Third Army Corps, as a pilot of short-range first-person view drones.

Drones have been a central strategy for Kyiv, relying on small but mighty ones to deliver crushing blows to Russia’s oil and gas industry, which bankrolled Putin’s war efforts.

The Ukrainians’ reliance on drones was partly born out of necessity, with artillery shells increasingly difficult to source from the US and Europe.

Ukraine, as a result, improvised and created a drone production industry out of self-sourced material.

The devices can now be used as kamikaze drones that crash into their targets and explode, while others can drop bombs and return to their operator.

Some are also used for reconnaissance and locating the enemy without sending troops into too-close positions.

“I liked that you could strike the enemy remotely,” said 25-year-old soldier Yaha, a bomber-drone pilot in the 9th Brigade. “So I thought this was our future.

“War is not cool or glamorous. It’s pain, suffering and loss. You just do it because you want to change the situation.”

Of the 70,000 women in the army, more than 5,500 were deployed directly to the front line.

It is unknown how many of them have died in combat.

With Post Wires