In a significant move to support the Ukrainian military, NATO has agreed to establish a $7 million fund aimed at purchasing body armor and other essential equipment specifically for women serving in the Ukrainian armed forces. This announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.
“Right now, there are thousands of Ukrainian women who are serving on the front lines, literally — as snipers, as machine gunners, as medevac pilots, commanding tank units and artillery batteries,” Blinken stated at the State Department. “But too often, Ukrainian women fighters don’t have the equipment that they need to meet their unique needs, forcing many to buy and even design their own kits.”
Addressing Equipment Shortages for Women Fighters
The newly established fund will be used to procure over 10,000 bulletproof vests, uniforms, and boots. This initiative comes in response to the increasing number of women serving in the Ukrainian military, with current estimates indicating that approximately 65,000 women are in service, including 4,000 to 5,000 in combat roles.
Despite martial law not requiring women to serve, many Ukrainian women have volunteered for military service. This contrasts with Ukrainian men, who face conscription under a mobilization law adopted earlier this year to address manpower shortages.
“From the moment that Putin launched his full-scale invasion, Ukrainian women have stepped up, in every conceivable way, to defend their country, to defend their communities, to defend their families — including in combat,” Blinken emphasized. “Every day, they prove that valor has no gender.”
Surge in Female Combatants
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Olha Stefanishyna, confirmed the significant rise in the number of women serving in combat roles. Over 10,000 women are currently on the front lines, a notable increase from the approximately 5,000 women in combat roles during the first year of the full-scale invasion.
“An increasing number of women are serving in the defense forces, with over 10,000 women now performing combat duties on the front line,” Stefanishyna said during a panel on female leadership at the NATO Public Forum. “Ukrainians are standing united against Russian aggression – both women and men.”
Specialized Body Armor For Ukrainian Female Soldiers
In December 2023, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry took a groundbreaking step by approving the first specially designed body armor for women. These new vests, produced domestically by Ukrainian Armor, feature a curved armor plate and narrower shoulders, ensuring a better fit for female soldiers.
The Defense Ministry previously reported that over 67,000 women serve in Ukraine’s Armed Forces, up from 41,000 in 2022. This total includes 19,000 employees in non-military roles, with the remainder serving as military personnel.
Conclusion
NATO’s $7 million fund represents a crucial investment in the safety and effectiveness of Ukrainian women on the front lines. By providing them with the necessary equipment, NATO is recognizing and supporting the vital role that women play in the defense of Ukraine. As the conflict continues, these efforts underscore the commitment to ensuring that all soldiers, regardless of gender, have the resources they need to serve their country effectively.
