Number of women in Armed Forces of Ukraine rose during 2025

As of 2026, there are over 75,000 women working within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including more than 5,500 frontline servicewomen. This year there are 7,000 more female defenders in the Ukrainian military than a year ago.

Source: Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "Today we mark International Women's Day. First and foremost, I want to congratulate the women who are standing up to the Russian aggressor with weapons in their hands. I am grateful to the servicewomen who are disproving the claim that defending Ukraine is only a man's job."

Details: Syrskyi said that during the 12 years of war with Russia, 1,705 female defenders from the Armed Forces of Ukraine have received state awards for their professionalism, personal courage, bravery and steadfastness in battle.

Five servicewomen have received the highest honour, the title of Hero of Ukraine, three of them posthumously.

Quote: "Ukrainian women are warriors, commanders, medics, communications specialists, intelligence officers, volunteers, mothers and wives. They stand shoulder to shoulder with men to defend the state, saving lives, providing training, medical treatment, supplies and support.

Today, the Ukrainian woman is a symbol of dignity, courage and love for the homeland."

Details: As of March 2025, over 70,000 women are serving in the Armed Forces – more than 5,500 of them on the front line.

The Ministry of Defence noted that women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine have equal rights with men to hold positions, advance in their careers and attain military ranks. In addition, Ukrainian law provides additional social guarantees for female defenders.

These include:

• separate service facilities for accommodation during camp deployment
• restrictions on physical workload
• the option of voluntary discharge in the event of pregnancy, regardless of martial law.

Background: At the beginning of 2023, 4% of officers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine were women. Today that figure stands at 21%.

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