Sisters in arms. Alisa Shramko “Dolya”

Alisa Shramko, known by her call sign “Dolya,” serves as a medical instructor in the Fastiv Territorial Defense Force (Volunteer Formation of the Territorial Community in the Kyiv region), a sub-instructor in the Volunteer Medical Battalion “Hospitaliers,” and is a member of the Veteranka Movement. In her civilian profession, she is a social pedagogue and works as a senior staff member in the department of intangible cultural heritage at a museum. Additionally, she is a mother of two children.

I found myself in the army entirely by chance. In 2018, I was looking for pre-medical aid courses, and someone recommended the “Hospitaliers” page to me. I wasn’t even fully aware that it was a military organization. In the end, it turned out that I could have an interview with Yana Zinkevych (editor: the commander of the “Hospitaliers” medical battalion) and the opportunity to join the battalion. I didn’t want to join the battalion, but I was curious to meet Yana, to talk with such a remarkable personality. She asked about my education, whether I had a driver’s license, and the last question was, “When are you going on rotation?” I immediately replied that I could go in June, considering when I could take a vacation. I don’t regret being in the battalion at all; perhaps it’s related to the call sign I earned – “Dolya”, which means fate. Fate led me there.

My first time was very frightening. It was Avdiivka (Donetsk region), 2019. I didn’t know what to expect; I had never been on the front line before. But then, I couldn’t live without the Hospitalier family. These people became more like family to me than my blood relatives. In my first rotation, I had to apply my skills partially – there were no severely wounded, but there were injured.

The greatest support is the Hospitalier family. We all live as one soul, one family. Among these people, there is a sense of home, a feeling that you are needed, that others care about you. Unfortunately, I didn’t have this in my real family. When I announced my choice, not everyone in my family accepted it.

The most challenging thing on the front is getting used to the war. On the first day, I was scared, trying to google things I didn’t know, rereading everything I knew. I ended up in the “Rambo” unit, 5th Battalion UVA (Ukrainian Volunteer Army). I wanted to go as a second number, but they assigned me as the only paramedic for the unit and to the forward position. I was very worried not to let the guys down. The first fear disappeared during the first rotation. But getting used to it… for that, you need to feel confident. And to feel confident, I continue to learn and improve my knowledge every day.

When I took the position of a medical instructor, my daughter was four years old. I knew I wouldn’t be able to spend much time on the front line. I set a goal for myself – to become an instructor in pre-medical aid. This way, I could be useful in this field and dedicate time to my child. Today, I am an instructor at our training center, teaching new paramedics and fighters.

We didn’t feel that there would be war, we knew. At the beginning of 2021, we had several options on how to act in case of a full-scale war, where our assembly points were, equipped crews, and understood how to act in the absence of transport, communication. The only thing we didn’t know for sure was the exact date of the full-scale war. No one could imagine the scale of the war. But everyone knew clearly: “Do what you must, and it will be as it will be.” I did what I had to do. At the beginning of the full-scale war, I was pregnant with my second child. The scariest thing would be to end up in occupation. But our soldiers stopped the enemy not far away from my house, and I stayed with my children. I want to see my Hospitalier friends alive, and I want to see Ukraine free even more. So, we need to work.

Regarding gender equality issues, in our unit, there is a female combatant, and about half of the personnel are women. Therefore, such issues do not arise. But when, at the beginning of the full-scale war, I signed a contract with the local Territorial Defense Force, there were nuances. Some men thought, “What can a woman teach me as an instructor?” Also, a pregnant woman looked quite funny to some, and they didn’t want to learn from or listen to her. I had to conceal my pregnancy – wear a bulky fleece, a pouch, put on a somewhat stern look, and conduct sessions in such an image.

My unit has good provision: there is a women’s uniform, even women’s body armor, and a bunch of different necessary women’s things. But I have a first bra size, so I find it easy and comfortable to wear men’s clothing.

I believe that war is a catalyst that helps people better manifest who they really are, reveal their qualities. If a person tended to go down, they would do it faster with war. If a person tended to develop and become better, they would become better sooner. War helps maintain closer contacts with those who are truly worthy, who are close. And it also breaks contacts with blood relatives who are strangers in spirit. War urges all of us to be ourselves.

The attitude toward women in the army, compared with 2014, is undoubtedly changing. More and more women serve, they take combat positions, not just as cooks and medics. With each passing year, this situation evens out and improves. In our unit, we all feel like one family. However, in other units, women often have to show that they are professionals and have the right to be among male warriors. You need to prove that your subordinates and comrades can trust you with their lives.

I would like our victory to be the complete destruction of the enemy, but unfortunately, at the moment, I cannot imagine when this will happen. It won’t be a clear moment like a full-scale invasion; it will be somewhat stretched in time.

I want to see more awareness in the society of victorious Ukraine. Unfortunately, even today, people outside of our circle don’t quite understand what is happening and what actually depends on them. 

Yes, there are great sacrifices, but we are moving towards a point where people begin to understand everything. I have two children, and I’m in the military to preserve the country for them. Perhaps they will have to work to live better in the future, too. But for now, there is a need to preserve an independent Ukraine for them. Outside the army, I live by promoting Ukrainian culture.

Daria Bura

This publication is part of the UN Women project “Transformational Approaches for Achieving Gender Equality in Ukraine,” supported by the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine and funded by the Government of Sweden.