Key facts
- Kateryna Zarembo, a Ukrainian researcher and writer, is now a combat medic in an assault battalion.
- She joined the military because her previous work felt less useful.
- Zarembo states that in her current unit, there is no difference in how men and women are treated, with treatment based on job performance.
- She believes combat training should be mandatory for both men and women.
- Zarembo no longer misses writing and feels her creative source is closed due to her current service.
Kateryna Zarembo, a Ukrainian researcher and writer known for her work on eastern Ukraine's cultural identity, has transitioned to serving as a combat medic in an assault battalion. In an interview with The Kyiv Independent, Zarembo explained her decision to enlist, stating that her previous work felt less meaningful compared to her current role. She described her transition to military life as an ongoing identity challenge, noting that while she no longer feels fully civilian, she also differs from many in the army. Zarembo highlighted that experiences with misogyny during her enlistment process contrasted with the supportive, people-friendly environment in her current unit, where treatment is based on job performance rather than gender. She emphasized that military requirements are gender-neutral and that women compete on equal footing. Zarembo advocates for mandatory, high-quality combat training for both men and women, asserting that women are capable of any role in the army based on competence. She also suggested that Ukraine should review its mobilization and demobilization policies before considering mandatory conscription for women. Zarembo stated she no longer misses writing, feeling her creative well is closed for now, and is fully invested in her service and medical studies, though she regrets the lack of time for the latter.