IM supports women veterans in Ukraine

VETERANKA / Women Veterans Movement was founded in 2018 by women veterans themselves. Today, the movement has more than 3,000 members and works to protect women’s rights within Ukraine’s security and defence sector, while supporting veterans in their transition to civilian life.

The work is both about providing support here and now and about something bigger: enabling women to help shape Ukraine’s future. VETERANKA aims to strengthen women’s leadership and create opportunities for veterans to use their experience, become economically independent and actively participate in rebuilding the country.

A stronger community in western Ukraine

IM’s support is helping to strengthen the recently relaunched activities in western Ukraine. The focus includes building the community, rehabilitation, and support for women veterans and women who are still in active service.

An important part of the work is creating opportunities for women to meet and find ways forward. At one of the movement’s events in October, for example, participants discussed veterans’ experiences and life after military service. They also took part in practical workshops on entrepreneurship and adapting to civilian life.

The women behind the uniform

Behind VETERANKA’s work are stories of women whose lives have been profoundly changed by the war. One of them is Eva “Alice” Reuter.

Eva was an art historian and artist who worked in game development and as a tattoo artist before joining Ukraine’s defence forces. In November 2022, she joined the Hospitallers Battalion as a combat medic. There, she helped evacuate wounded people from combat zones and provided medical support. She later worked with the 25th Brigade’s drone unit, where she was involved in organisational work, international recruitment and technical development.

On 1 August 2026, Eva “Alice” Reuter, aged 25, was killed while carrying out a medical assignment following a Russian attack on Kyiv. Read her full story here (external page). 

Her story is one of those that VETERANKA has chosen to tell. It also reflects the breadth of women’s experiences of the war and why their experiences, voices and stories need to have a place as Ukraine looks to the future. VETERANKA works with both women who are still serving and veterans returning to civilian life, with the aim of strengthening their rights and leadership and their opportunities to participate in rebuilding the country.

Text: Malin Kihlström
Photo: VETERANKA