NATO helps develop opportunities in the army for Ukrainian women

The North Atlantic Alliance will continue to help develop opportunities for women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This was discussed at the meeting of the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Natalia Kalmykova with the Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General for Women, Peace and Security Irene Felin and the head of the NATO Representation in Ukraine Karen McTeer.

During the meeting, the parties discussed ensuring the principles of gender equality in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the current challenges for the army.Natalia Kalmykova told NATO representatives about providing women with military uniforms and personal protective equipment.

In addition, Ukraine’s deputy minister focused on the work of overcoming gender stereotypes and realizing the potential of female military personnel in positions involving operational planning and unit command.

‘Cooperation and assistance of NATO structures is extremely necessary for us in the practical implementation of gender equality policies in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am very grateful for the opportunities that the Alliance provides to Ukraine on the way to this goal,’ she stressed.

Natalia Kalmykova reported on agreements regarding cooperation with the Nordic Center for Gender in Military Operations – an official unit within NATO that is responsible for training on gender issues. The center is ready to provide training for the Ukrainian military.

After the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine witnessed an unprecedented wave of private support for the army. Citizens, big businesses, charitable foundations, and international philanthropists began financing the country’s defense alongside state assistance provided by international partners. Estimates of total private contributions range from tens to hundreds of billions of hryvnias. However, determining the exact amount remains difficult. In many cases, companies combine military aid, humanitarian programs, tax payments, social spending, and employee support in their reporting.

Rinat Akhmetov’s military initiative, “Steel Front”, has delivered a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million to the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. This shipment is part of the Metinvest Group’s ongoing support for the unit in 2025.

On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.

Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.

Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.