News
Yuliia Shcherban has been a volunteer since the post-Maidan years, a combat veteran of the 120th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, and today an activist of the Vinnytsia branch of the VETERANKA movement. She is also the head of the NGO Led by the Heart and the coordinator of a regional educational hub teaching the subject Defense of Ukraine.
For Yuliia, the war began back during the Revolution of Dignity. Even then, she clearly understood: Russia was trying to destroy Ukraine.She has always had a strong civic position — she could not stay indifferent and consistently stood up for[...]
19.12.2025
Yaryna Mruts, callsign “Athena,” a member of the VETERANKA movement and a combat medic, was killed on November 22, 2025. She was 26 years old.
With a medical education behind her, Yaryna voluntarily joined the Armed Forces. She wanted to be useful to her country and to save lives at the front. Her professionalism and sense of responsibility allowed her to advance quickly in military service. She later received an officer’s rank. In her final post, Yaryna served as Head of the Medical Point of the 210th Separate Assault Regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
She Mobilized After[...]
03.12.2025
The Story of Yuliia Zahurska, Still Searching for Her Place in Civilian Life
Yuliia Zahurska is a combat psychologist, an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a veteran. Before joining the military, she served as a captain in the State Emergency Service (DSNS), with many years of professional experience.
Her story is about resilience and frontline work without rest — “doing everything possible to help everyone in time.” It is a story of daily support for those going through the hardest moments.
Yuliia’s path led her from soldier to Head of the Combat Stress Control[...]
19.11.2025
A gathering of the Vinnytsia chapter of the VETERANKA movement has taken place — two days filled with conversations about community support, growth, and shared purpose.
Together with women veterans and active servicewomen, we discussed the region’s needs in the areas of rehabilitation and reintegration, shared experiences, and planned new initiatives.
The Head of the Movement, Kateryna Pryimak, presented VETERANKA’s strategy and core values. Sofiia Cheliak facilitated a session focused on values and needs. Advocacy expert Valeriia Kolomiiets delivered a lecture on advocating for[...]
17.11.2025
Combat medic Oleksandra Lysytska, callsign “Alaska,” a sister of the VETERANKA movement, spoke at the European Parliament following the premiere of the documentary Cuba & Alaska. She urged the international community to continue supporting Ukraine’s army, people affected by the war, and volunteers.
Ukraine is fighting not only for its independence and freedom, but also for everyone in the world who does not want to live in fear of a possible Russian invasion.
“Maybe I won’t live to see the end of this war, but I want the sacrifice of thousands of Ukrainians to have[...]
13.11.2025
Based on the experience of women in the VETERANKA movement, mothers who join the Security and Defense Forces often face public judgment and painful remarks such as: “Your child is growing up without a mother,” or “What kind of mother leaves her children?” In schools and children’s groups, cases of bullying are also reported against children whose mothers serve in the military.
Why is it still difficult for society to accept a woman’s decision to defend her country? How do these prejudices form, and what can adults do to prevent bullying? Psychologist Kateryna Vasylieva[...]
31.10.2025
The heroine’s call sign has been changed to protect her identity.
Vatra serves in Ukraine’s Defense Forces. She’s a mother of two — a son and a daughter.From the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she helped the military as a volunteer, and in May 2022 officially joined the Armed Forces.At the start of her service, she faced judgment and disbelief: “Why did you go there? What for?” Her son was even told by his peers that he was “motherless.”
Following her husband to the front
After February 24, 2022, Vatra began volunteering — delivering humanitarian aid[...]
22.10.2025
Her military journey began in 2015. Unable to stay aside, Yuliia joined the Armed Forces to defend Ukraine. Among her comrades, she’s known as Bilka — “the Squirrel.” For her two daughters, she’s simply mom. Yet, her choice to serve has brought not only pride but also painful judgment: “She left her children,” “She serves instead of raising them,” “She should be at home.”
A defender and a mother
Throughout her service, Yuliia has taken on many crucial roles — from aerial reconnaissance to logistics. Since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she has[...]
14.10.2025
Today, over 70,000 Ukrainian women serve in the military. They fight on equal terms, command units and companies, operate drones and artillery, and evacuate the wounded from under fire. Among them are thousands of defenders proving every day that being a woman in the military means strength, resilience, and responsibility. It means carving your own path despite stereotypes and doubt—and never giving up, because women can.
To mark the Defenders Day, VETERANKA launched a large-scale awareness campaign, Women Can Do It!, to spotlight those whose service and courage often remain in the[...]
07.10.2025
On September 2, 2025, in Donetsk region, 19-year-old Daria Lopatina, call sign “Delta”, a soldier of the 12th Special Purpose Brigade of the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov,” was killed in action. At just 18, she took up arms and volunteered to join the Armed Forces. She spent the last year of her life defending Ukraine as part of the Azov Brigade. For the brigade, this is the first female soldier killed on the front line since the defense of Mariupol.
From student to defender
A Kyiv School of Economics student and native of Kyiv, Daria joined the Armed[...]
03.10.2025