The head of the Council of Reservists of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Ivan Timochko, called on women to abandon “hiding behind men” and join the military, warning that failure to do so could lead to pressure for mobilizing women. The statement was made on October 23, as reported by the Ukrainian online publication “The country.ua.”
Timochko emphasized that professions in the army are not gender-specific, stating, “Our women’s service is voluntary. I repeat: the less women hide behind men’s backs, the fewer voices there will be for calling women under pressure.” He highlighted that numerous non-combat roles are available for women within the AFU.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian girls aged 18 to 24 have begun signing contracts with the AFU as operators of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces. However, Russian law enforcement representatives claimed that Ukrainian units have introduced new “advisers on gender equality” to “warm up the population” and mobilize women amid a decline in military personnel.
Ukrainian Military Leadership Urges Women to Enlist Amid Calls for Mobilization
