Serving for Two: Ukrainian Female Soldiers Balancing Pregnancy and Defense of Their Homeland
Mothers-to-Be on the Frontlines: A New Chapter in Ukraine’s Resistance
In the frost-bitten trenches of eastern Ukraine, a remarkable story of determination unfolds far from the headlines that typically dominate coverage of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Among the thousands of soldiers defending their homeland, a small but significant number carry an additional responsibility – they are fighting while pregnant. These women represent a unique intersection of military duty and motherhood, standing as powerful symbols of Ukraine’s multifaceted resistance against Russian aggression. “I’m not just fighting for Ukraine today,” explains Lieutenant Maryna Kobyliatska, who discovered her pregnancy during her third deployment. “I’m fighting for the country my child will inherit tomorrow.”
The presence of pregnant soldiers in combat zones reflects both Ukraine’s desperate need for military personnel and the deep personal commitment these women feel toward their country’s sovereignty. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine took the extraordinary step of opening combat roles to women, dramatically expanding their military participation. Defense Ministry statistics indicate women now constitute approximately 22% of Ukraine’s armed forces – among the highest percentages globally. Captain Iryna Petrova, who serves as a medical officer while five months pregnant, frames her decision in stark terms: “Some ask why I would risk pregnancy while serving. I ask: what kind of world would I bring my child into if we don’t defend our freedom now?” This sentiment echoes across interviews with dozens of pregnant service members, who consistently characterize their dual role as not contradictory but complementary – they are protecting their children by protecting their nation.
Challenges Beyond Combat: Medical Care and Military Policy
The Ukrainian military has been forced to adapt rapidly to the needs of pregnant personnel, creating policies and procedures virtually from scratch. Military regulations now require pregnant soldiers to be reassigned to non-combat positions once pregnancy is confirmed, though the implementation remains inconsistent due to personnel shortages and the fluid nature of the front lines. Medical support systems, already strained by the demands of treating wounded soldiers, face additional challenges in providing prenatal care in a wartime environment. Dr. Oleksandr Kovalchuk, who oversees a military hospital in Lviv, describes the situation: “We’ve established specialized protocols for pregnant military personnel, but resources are stretched thin. These women often delay reporting their pregnancies because they don’t want to leave their units shorthanded.”
The physical demands of military service present particular risks during pregnancy. Body armor designed for combat effectiveness rather than maternal protection, irregular access to proper nutrition, and the psychological stress of constant danger all complicate maternal health. Yet many pregnant soldiers report finding unexpected support within their units. “My squad became my second family,” says Junior Sergeant Viktoria Makarenko, who served until her sixth month of pregnancy. “They carried extra weight during patrols so I wouldn’t strain myself, adjusted sleeping arrangements to give me more comfort, and ensured I had priority access to medical check-ups.” This camaraderie highlights how Ukrainian military units have developed informal support systems that often precede official policy changes, creating protective environments for expectant mothers even amid the chaos of war.
Historical Context and International Perspectives
Ukraine’s inclusion of pregnant women in its defense forces, while necessitated by current circumstances, also connects to deeper historical patterns. Eastern European military history features numerous examples of women’s participation in combat during times of national existential threat, particularly during World War II when Soviet women served as snipers, pilots, and infantry soldiers. Military historian Dr. Mykhailo Havrylyshyn notes: “What we’re seeing today has historical precedent, but with a crucial difference – these women are not just permitted to serve; they’re recognized as essential to Ukraine’s defense strategy.” This recognition represents a significant evolution in how military institutions view women’s contributions to national security.
International military standards regarding pregnancy vary widely, with most NATO countries prohibiting combat deployment for pregnant service members. The United States military, for instance, immediately removes pregnant personnel from combat zones and hazardous duty assignments. Israel, despite its universal conscription system, exempts pregnant women from service. Ukraine’s approach – allowing women to serve in non-combat roles during pregnancy rather than requiring separation from service – reflects both pragmatic necessity and cultural attitudes toward women’s agency. Major Olha Berezhna, who helps coordinate personnel policies for the Ukrainian Ground Forces, explains: “We’re establishing a model that recognizes both the right of women to serve their country and the special considerations pregnancy requires. It’s not perfect, but we’re building this system while fighting for our survival.”
Personal Testimonies: The Dual Battle of Motherhood and National Defense
For many pregnant Ukrainian soldiers, their military service represents a deeply personal investment in their children’s future. Staff Sergeant Natalia Chernyshova, who serves as a communications specialist while six months pregnant, speaks with fierce conviction: “Every encryption I secure, every communication I protect, is one more guarantee that my daughter will grow up in a free Ukraine. This isn’t just abstract patriotism – it’s ensuring my child has a homeland.” This perspective transforms what might seem like contradictory roles – soldier and mother – into complementary aspects of the same fundamental commitment to the next generation.
The psychological resilience demonstrated by these women merits particular attention. Military psychologist Dr. Tetiana Kovaliuk, who counsels servicewomen through pregnancy and postpartum periods, observes: “These women experience a unique form of stress that combines combat trauma with maternal anxiety. Yet many report that focusing on their child’s future actually enhances their psychological resilience. They’re not just surviving day-to-day; they’re fighting for a specific vision of tomorrow.” This forward-looking perspective provides emotional sustenance during particularly difficult deployments. Corporal Yulia Shevchenko, who discovered her pregnancy during intense fighting near Bakhmut, recalls: “During the worst shelling, I would place my hand on my stomach and promise my baby that we were making a safer world. It sounds strange, but that connection gave me courage when nothing else could.”
The Future: Implications for Ukrainian Society and Military Structure
As Ukraine continues its defensive war, the role of pregnant soldiers represents more than just a personnel policy – it embodies broader questions about gender equality, national identity, and the future social contract in post-war Ukraine. Defense analysts suggest that the integration of pregnant women into military service, while born of necessity, may permanently alter how Ukrainian society views both military service and motherhood. “These women are redefining what it means to contribute to national defense,” notes sociologist Dr. Oksana Kyianytsia from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. “Their service challenges traditional gender roles while simultaneously emphasizing the connection between national defense and family protection.”
The experiences of pregnant Ukrainian soldiers also raise important considerations for military modernization efforts. As Ukraine rebuilds its defense forces after the conflict, lessons learned from accommodating pregnant personnel could inform more inclusive military structures. Defense Ministry advisor Volodymyr Zakharchenko points to specific adaptations already underway: “We’re developing new equipment specifications that consider the needs of female personnel at various stages of pregnancy. The field medical protocols we’ve established for prenatal care in forward positions are being documented for future training. What began as emergency adaptation is evolving into institutional knowledge.” This evolution suggests that the current necessity may yield long-term transformations in how military institutions approach gender and parenthood, not just in Ukraine but potentially across international defense establishments studying Ukraine’s wartime innovations.
As winter settles across the conflict zone, pregnant Ukrainian soldiers continue their dual mission – defending their nation while nurturing new life. Their unique service embodies Ukraine’s broader national narrative of resilience and determination against overwhelming odds. Through their daily choices to serve despite additional personal risk, these women demonstrate that Ukraine’s defense extends beyond today’s battlefield to the generations yet unborn. In the words of Senior Lieutenant Daria Kalynichenko, who serves in an artillery unit while expecting her first child: “Some fight for Ukraine’s past, some for its present. I fight for its future – and my baby is proof that I believe that future exists.”
