A large number of girls in Ukraine are joining their military amid growing war-tension with Russia.
The order has been criticized for requiring that pregnant women and women with young children would have to register with the military. In addition, the Ministry set the upper age limit for women at 60 years.
As part of the process, the military commissariat will undertake health and verification checks to determine whether each individual registration can go ahead.
However, several statements have been issued to try to clarify a number of emerging misconceptions.
“These legislative changes will not affect the lives of Ukrainian women now. But, by the end of 2022, it may be necessary [for women] to register at the territorial center of staffing and social support in their district of residence. No problems should be expected during 2022. However, in the future, any evasion of military registration, as for men, will be subject to warnings and fines from the territorial centers,” the Ministry announced in a statement.
Where applicable, fines will be payable by the individual and her employer. A woman can be fined from Hr 850 to Hr 1,700. Meanwhile, the employer can expect a fine of Hr 5,500 to Hr 8,500.
Yulia Mykytenko, who is a Reserve Officer, joined military in 2016 to defend her country in Russia’s war in eastern Ukraine. Aged 21 at that time, she recalled how at first there were very few women, but over time the numbers started to grow.
Another important issues is that the Ukranian military has made the use of high-heel shows compulsory for military women for parade.
Mykytenko spent her first year based at the military headquarters on the second front line. She later undertook a three-month officer’s course, after which she earned the military rank of “commander of a motorized infantry platoon.” Only after that was she allowed on the front line.
