Russia Steps Up Recruitment of Women for Ukraine War – Vot Tak
At least 50 Russian women serving in the war have been killed, with the annual death toll rising the longer the war has gone on, the outlet found.
Russia is intensifying its efforts to enlist women for military service in Ukraine, as its pool of potential male recruits dwindles, according to an investigation by the Polish news outlet Vot Tak. At least 50 Russian women have been killed in the conflict, with the annual death toll steadily increasing over time. Vot Tak identified these 50 women and explored the recruitment process, motivations, and expanded roles for women in the military.
Traditionally, women have predominantly served in civilian and support roles within the Russian military. However, their presence in combat has grown significantly. By March 2023, 1,100 women were deployed in Ukraine, compared to 310,000 women working in the armed forces in early 2022. Women are now recruited for a broader range of combat duties, including operating drones, firing sniper rifles, and participating in assaults.
Yelizaveta Tsybina, a 24-year-old drone operator, exemplifies the new role of women in the Russian military. Initially hesitant to enlist when Russia invaded Ukraine, Tsybina signed a contract in June 2024 after her boyfriend was killed. She underwent training to become a drone operator and joined the St. George volunteer assault brigade.
Despite her initial reservations, Tsybina has since served in combat missions and returned to her home region multiple times, expressing a growing sense of belonging in the military despite personal disappointment.
Women are recruited through various means, including university recruitment drives and advertisements targeting Russian citizens aged 18 to 45 with at least a secondary education and no criminal record. However, contracts are typically indefinite and cannot be easily terminated. Some women have even enlisted after serving prison sentences for expunging their convictions.
Despite promises of termination after a year and not being transferred to frontline roles, women are often deployed to the front lines and engaged in assault duties.
The recruitment of women has been gradual, beginning with medics and cooks in 2022, and expanding to include snipers, drone operators, and assault troops by 2023. The Defense Ministry has reportedly recruited female prisoners in exchange for clearing their convictions, though this practice appears to have since been phased out. Over 80 women may have been recruited from Siberian prisons to serve as medics in late 2024, with the oldest being 57-year-old Irina Anisimova, and the youngest being 23-year-old Yana Koshkina, who was killed in a drone strike in February 2026.
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