Ukraine does not have mandatory mobilization for women, with military service available solely on a voluntary basis. In recent years, Kyiv has removed administrative barriers for women who choose to enlist or pursue military education.
Pro-Kremlin outlets are circulating disinformation about the mobilization of women into the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The propaganda claims that, following “colossal losses among male officers,” Kyiv has begun forcibly “sending women to the front,” leading to a sharp rise in female enlistment. According to these narratives, the increase is allegedly driven by the “urgent need to fill positions vacated by the dead and wounded.”
According to the propaganda narrative, showcasing female soldiers in media coverage is portrayed as a deliberate effort by what it calls a “criminal regime” to condition public opinion for the idea that everyone will ultimately be expected to fight—and die—for President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The disinformation misrepresents data provided by Oksana Hryhorieva, adviser on gender issues to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Speaking on Hromadske Radio, Hryhorieva highlighted positive developments in gender equality within the military, noting that barriers for women wishing to serve have been removed. She said that since 2022, the share of women officers has risen from 4% to 21% of the force. Hryhorieva also acknowledged that challenges remain regarding career advancement for female officers.
“In terms of career development, the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not yet have a single female combat general,” Oksana Hryhorieva emphasized. “We have four women generals, but they serve in the medical and security services. No women have yet reached combat command positions, as they have not completed the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of military education or commanded brigades.”
As of August 2025, roughly 100,000 women serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of a total force of 1 million. About 5,500 are deployed to the front lines, including medics, drivers, drone operators, and personnel in other specialties. All serve on a voluntary basis.
Ukraine has lifted all restrictions on women seeking military education. Both civilians and active servicemembers can apply to higher military educational institutions, military units within universities, and professional higher military education programs. Women are admitted on an equal basis with men across all specialties. According to the Ministry of Defense, women accounted for more than 19% of new admissions in 2024, rising to over 21% of cadets in military educational institutions by the end of 2025.
There is no mandatory mobilization of women in Ukraine; military service is strictly voluntary. Under Law No. 12076 “On Military Duty and Service,” women who wish to undergo basic military training are registered as conscripts only at their own request. After completing basic service, they may voluntarily register as liable for military duty, at which point they become eligible for mobilization, in accordance with Articles 11 and 12 of the law.
Similar disinformation narratives have been analyzed by StopFake in reports such as Fake: Ukraine Created Body Armor for Pregnant Women and Fake: Ukraine Actively Recruits Female Chemists and Biologists.
