Key facts
- Ukrainian author Kateryna Zarembo volunteered as a combat medic on Ukraine's front lines.
- Zarembo expressed concern that U.S. President Donald Trump's policies could harm Ukraine's battle against Russia and emphasized the country's need for self-reliance.
- She believes Ukraine's future rests with its army and that she must be part of the professional military community.
- Women's participation in Ukraine's armed forces has grown significantly, with many now in combat roles.
- Poet and combat medic Yaryna Chornohuz shared her experiences on the front lines since the 2022 invasion, detailing fierce battles and the loss of comrades.
Ukrainian author Kateryna Zarembo has volunteered as a combat medic on the front lines, citing a critical need for Ukraine's self-reliance, particularly in light of concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. Zarembo, who previously pursued an academic career in political science, believes that the future of Ukraine is in the hands of its army and that she must be part of the professional military community.
Zarembo's decision comes as women increasingly fill combat roles within Ukraine's armed forces. Parliamentarian Yevheniia Kravchuk noted that women join voluntarily for various reasons, including family military tradition or seeking revenge for fallen relatives. Women now constitute over 70,000 of Ukraine's 900,000-strong military, with more than 20,000 in combat roles and 5,500 fighting in the trenches.
Poet and combat medic Yaryna Chornohuz, serving in the Ukrainian Marine Corps, shared her experiences since Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. Chornohuz described enduring fierce battles, the emotional impact of losing comrades, and her role in saving lives, including that of a 10-year-old boy with shrapnel wounds. She has been a part of significant operations, including defending the Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway and liberating strategic areas.