The Media Told About The Only Female Pilot In The AFU

Since September of last year, has made more than 30 combat missions.

There are about 70,000 women serving in the Ukrainian army, of which only 5,500 are in combat positions. Senior Lieutenant Katerina is the only female combat pilot in the Ukrainian army, a co-pilot and navigator on an Mi-8 helicopter. The New York Times spoke with her and found out how she feels about her job and how big of an obstacle gender stereotypes are.

"The door opened and the pilot emerged, blinking dust with painted eyelashes, her nails painted a deep burgundy color. She carried a heavy flight jacket on one arm, and a member of the ground crew rushed over to help her with it. "Let me carry her," he said, but she waved him off. 'If I can land the helicopter, I don't need help with the jacket,' her body language suggested," the publication describes her first encounter with Katerina.

In the interview, the woman shares that fellow soldiers "always want to show they're heroes and protect."

"But I didn't come here to be a girl. At some point our army will realize this," she states.

Katerina emphasizes that she wishes there were more women in Ukraine, adding that she was the only woman among 45 men at her military flight school.

She said that very few women study to be pilots at the Kharkiv National Air Force University, but six have reached out to her on Instagram for advice. "I try to encourage them and tell them they can do it," she said.

She joined the 18th Independent Army Aviation Brigade in 2023 and began flying combat missions last September. Lt. Katerina is a co-pilot and navigator on the Mi-8 and has flown more than 30 combat missions:

"I never get nervous while flying. All heavy thoughts can come before or after the flight. During the flight, my mind is clear."

Lieutenant Katerina rarely sees her family. She doesn't date anyone and has no close friends in her brigade. "You can't force yourself to do anything. If I meet someone, that's what happens," she said of both friendships and romantic relationships.

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