About 75,000 women are serving in the Ukrainian military, with more than 20,000 in combat roles. Ukraine’s military aviation includes one female combat helicopter pilot alongside hundreds of highly skilled female UAV operators. Specialized all-female units for drone operations and interception have also been established. This reflects a profound shift in the role of women in modern warfare — from support positions to the front lines of combat.

Photo: nytimes.com

Lieutenant Kateryna is the only female combat pilot in the Ukrainian military. She began combat missions in September 2024 and completed over 30 missions within her first year. Updated figures have not been publicly released for security reasons, but her active service continues. She serves as a co-pilot and navigator-operator of a heavy transport-combat Mi-8 helicopter in the 18th Separate Army Aviation Brigade named after Igor Sikorsky. Her missions include dangerous low-altitude operations near the front line and fire support for ground units.

Photo: nytimes.com

Kateryna shared her story in an interview with The New York Times, offering a rare glimpse into the realities of combat aviation in Ukraine. Her experience reveals the pressures, responsibilities, and resilience behind each mission.

She was inspired to pursue aviation while growing up on an air force base, where her father served as an officer. At the age of 10, she took her first ride in a Mi-8 helicopter — and knew she wanted to become a pilot. At 16, she enrolled in Kharkiv National Air Force University as the only female student. One of her teachers told her, “This is not for girls.” But a female instructor on helicopter simulators encouraged her to continue.

“She told me not to listen to anyone, and I thought, if she can fly, why can’t I?”

Photo: nytimes.com

Kateryna is a determined and focused woman who breaks stereotypes while doing her job. She rarely sees her family and has little space for a personal life, yet continues to serve her country, risking her life every day.

“I never stress during a mission,” Kateryna said. “All the heavy thoughts can come before or after. During the mission, my mind is clear.”

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