Taira: From Russian Captive to National Hero - The Combat Medic Who Saved War Victims
In 2022 during the siege of Mariupol, as buildings fell and civilians were trapped without food, water or medical care, one woman kept moving through the chaos to save lives. Her name is Yuliia Paievska. The world knows her as Taira. She is a Ukrainian combat medic,...
This soldier had her breasts amputated due to body armour designed for men’s bodies: the consequences of ignoring female anatomy in the services
Natalia Lishchyshena’s story started with one dream: to serve her country. This dream was realised but quickly turned into a nightmare. She joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2021 as a cleaner and quickly advanced to operator. During the first few days of the full-scale invasion when the war started, Natalia...
Fit to Defend: How Military Kit Is Failing Women on the Frontline
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have expanded dramatically since the war began. By January 2024 the service counted roughly 66, 900 women, 47, 200 of whom are active service members and more than five thousand are deployed on the frontline. Female participation has risen by about 40 % since 2022, and...
Why Military-Issued Sports Bras are Failing Military Women
Military readiness isn’t just about weapons and strategy, it’s about the kit that allows troops to train and perform at their best. For servicewomen, the most overlooked but essential piece of equipment is their sports bra. Despite rising numbers of...