Published TUESDAY March 4, 2025: 'Ukraine's Fearless WOMEN WARRIORS' by ZUMA Press award winning photographer Gian Marco Benedetto: The call to fight for freedom is being answered by Ukrainian women, who are finding their strength and bravery. In Ukraine, conscription is mandatory only for men. Despite that, more than 45,000 women have voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are currently serving alongside men. Since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, women's rights organizations and women leaders have been providing humanitarian assistance, advocating for women's rights, taking on leadership roles in business and in politics, and many have joined the armed forces. Welcome to 'Ukraine's Fearless WOMEN WARRIORS'
© zReportage.com Issue #979 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY March 4, 2025: 'Ukraine's Fearless WOMEN WARRIORS' by ZUMA Press award winning photographer Gian Marco Benedetto: The call to fight for freedom is being answered by Ukrainian women, who are finding their strength and bravery. In Ukraine, conscription is mandatory only for men. Despite that, more than 45,000 women have voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are currently serving alongside men. Since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, women's rights organizations and women leaders have been providing humanitarian assistance, advocating for women's rights, taking on leadership roles in business and in politics, and many have joined the armed forces. Welcome to 'Ukraine's Fearless WOMEN WARRIORS'
LISA 25, came from Zaporyzya region from Russian occupied territory and she wants to fight and defend her country against Russian aggression. Among the organizations providing battle field training exclusively for women, the Ukrainian Valkyrie NGO, has trained more than 1,500 women since the start of the full-scale invasion.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
TATIANA 28, believes that right now all Ukrainians have to learn how to defend themselves, as women have become a vital part of Ukraine's military defense against Russia.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
MARIA 31, joined the fight in defense of her country and has learned advanced skills of self defense. In Ukraine, conscription is mandatory only for men. Despite that, more than 45,000 women have voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are currently serving alongside men.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
DARYNKA 18, she is manager in the all women Valkyrie NGO and she stays in Ukraine to show the importance and need for women soldiers. Among the organizations providing battle field training exclusively for women, the Valkyrie NGO, has trained more than 1,500 women since the start of the full-scale invasion.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
DARINA 34, defends her country and because of the war she thinks everybody should learn how to defend and resist the ongoing Russian aggression.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
ANNA 36, doesn't want to have the same feeling she had in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, she wants be ready this time. Women have become a vital part of Ukraine's military defense against Russia.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
MARIA 24, joined the war effort to learn how to defend herself as women have become a vital part of Ukraine's military defense against Russia.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
NATALIA 38, joined the Valkyrie NGO and learns to defend herself and her family, as women have become a vital part of Ukraine's military defense against Russia.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
ALINA 32, wants to understand more about war and weapons and if there is a need she will be ready. Her husband has been fighting for 2 years on the frontline with Russia.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
KATIA 25, signed up to learn first aid and also to be able to defend herself and her country. Women have become a vital part of Ukraine's military defense against Russia.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
MARINA 35, is the founder of the Valkyri NGO an association that teaches Ukrainian women how to defend themselves. After the liberation of Kyiv Marina started to organize training on how to defend the country from the ongoing Russian invasion. Since the Valkyrie volunteer NGO was founded after the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it trained more than 1,500 women.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire
