"I entered civilian life quite abruptly."

 The story of Oksana Ivanets — a woman who served for 26 years, went through war, discrimination, and ultimately found her place in civilian life.

She’s a retired lieutenant colonel, mother of many, veteran of both the State Border Guard Service and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military journalist — and today, a communications specialist at the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP).

Her story is one of endurance, exhaustion, and the right to rest — and to honestly admit: “Right now, I’m just doing my job. Maybe later, I’ll be a leader again.”

For the “Tribe” project by Amnesty International Ukraine, Oksana shares how she suddenly transitioned into civilian life, how therapy keeps her afloat, and what it means to be a woman officer:

“I served in the army for almost 26 years. Started as a cadet at 17, ended my service as a lieutenant colonel in November last year.
I gave 21 years to the Border Guard Service but resigned in 2020 after facing discrimination from leadership.
Just a few months later, I joined the Armed Forces as a special correspondent for the ArmyInform news agency.
I met the full-scale war in that role and spent two years reporting from the front lines — covering Ukrainian military heroism and documenting the consequences of Russian aggression in the liberated areas of Kharkiv region.

After a restructuring at the agency, I relocated to Kyiv and was seconded to the Ministry of Defense’s press service — but I found the work uninspiring. I also realized how deeply tired I was of the military system.
I had enough service to retire, so I did.

I was officially discharged on July 14. By July 18, I was already at my new job.
There was no time to process anything — just a quiet sadness.

What I miss most is the frontline. Out there, everything is real. It felt like the only place where I could truly tell the world about this war. But unfortunately, the world is already tired…”

Today, Oksana works in the press service of the NACP.
And, as she says, for now — this quiet role suits her.

“I’m a subordinate now. I carry out tasks, I don’t make decisions — and that’s fine.
You could say I’m resting.
Maybe one day I’ll take on a leadership role again — but not now.”

Oksana is also a mother of many. Leadership, she says, begins at home.

“As an officer, I was used to setting realistic tasks and demanding results. In the army, there’s no gender — only ranks and responsibilities. But convincing men of that? It’s been a lifelong battle. I’ve always had to prove I’m not worse.

I live in the moment. I believe in fate.
Had I stayed on the front line, I might not have survived.
And who would raise my kids if I didn’t make it?

I’m not ready to leave four underage children without a mother — especially when two of them are adopted and have already lost their parents. That makes me even more responsible for them.”

Her advice to women returning from the military?

“Find yourself. Listen to yourself. If you need professional help — don’t be ashamed.
I’ve been in therapy for over a year. That’s what keeps me sane.
And I’m not afraid to say it:
Without medication, I can’t cope — yet.”