#women-in-combat

#women-in-combat

The Ukrainian soldiers sat huddled in their dark dugout, all focus and nerve - Viktoriia's eyes shifting frantically between two screens, Tetiana's hands clutching a drone controller. In the fields beyond, a Russian howitzer was firing shells at Ukrainian positions. The women steered their explosive-packed drone toward it and dived. Their screens blurred. The room went quiet. Then came the voice of their commander, Daria, from the trench outside: "There was a hit!"

Women have been involved in Ukraine's drone operations since the early months of the full-scale invasion, but as shortages in the military increase their presence has grown, particularly in FPV (first-person-view) attack units. Casualty figures are not disclosed but widely understood to be high, and Ukraine is becoming reliant on civilians to fill roles that once belonged to trained military personnel.

Instead, Panetta told Axios' Colin Demarest that military leaders were treated to a "recruiting speech" and complaints about "cultural issues." "Hell no," Panetta responded when asked if he would have called that meeting.

The Ranger School curriculum requires extreme physical fitness, including running, lifting heavy weights, and performing strenuous activities in a limited time. It poses a significant challenge that sees high dropout rates.

A female Army Ranger, First Lt. Gabrielle White, achieved remarkable success in the Best Ranger Competition, challenging stereotypes about women's capabilities in combat roles.