The Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced that over 40,000 women are directly serving in the military operations of the Ukrainian army against Russia.
This figure represents slightly more than 5% of the total armed forces, with approximately 5,000 Ukrainian women actively involved in combat operations.
The report further disclosed that more than 13,400 women have been granted combat participant status so far. It also revealed that 41% of the enlisted women are mothers, with over 2,500 being single mothers.
Back in 2014, the number of women in the Ukrainian military was just over 16,500. However, since then, Kyiv has lifted all restrictions imposed on women in the military, according to the ministry.
Russia attributes the increased participation of Ukrainian women in the military to a severe shortage of young male recruits as the war approaches its second year.
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service declared on Monday that the shortage of Ukrainian soldiers has compelled the Volodymyr Zelensky regime to increase the number of women in its forces, with Western estimates indicating the presence of 40,000 women.
The press office of the intelligence service stated, “Kyiv’s regime has raised the maximum age limit for women’s military service to 60 years. However, this is not sufficient for Kyiv, as the Ukrainian military command is requesting the expansion of the list of women’s professions subject to mobilization.
Since last October, medical workers have also been subject to mobilization.” This statement highlights the significant role of women in the Ukrainian military amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.