The opening of the photo exhibition by Vadym Sarakhan was also attended by the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The exhibition was visited by Deputy Speakers and members of the British Parliament, Lords and representatives of all parties, as well as members of the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation.
«These photographs are not just faces. They are stories. And they represent the truth about women who have become a force defending Ukraine and Europe. As of today, over 70,000 women serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with more than 5,000 deployed directly on the front lines. This is more than ever before in the history of our state and exceeds the numbers in many NATO countries’ armed forces,» emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.
The Deputy Speaker emphasized that the United Kingdom is one of the pioneers in ensuring equal participation of women in the military. In 1653, the first military hospitals for women were established there. Between 1917 and 1919, the Women’s Royal Air Force, the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, and the Women’s Legion Motor Transport Section were formed as part of the British Armed Forces. According to her, women today can serve in any position within the British Army.
«But this is not just about numbers — it is about human lives. I want to recall Iryna Tsybukh, a paramedic who pulled the wounded out of the inferno on the front lines, risking her own life. She died saving others. She was not even 26 years old. Yet her heroism has already become a part of our national memory,» Olena Kondratiuk stated.
The Deputy Speaker also mentioned Oksana Rubanyak, «a young poet who chose Bakhmut over a literary competition. She became a machine gunner and endured some of the hottest front-line battles. She writes her poems in dugouts, between fights.»
«This exhibition is about such women — about thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, medics, volunteers, snipers, artillerywomen, communications officers, and commanders. They are not ‘on the sidelines’ of the war. They are at its very heart. Thank you, Britain, for standing by our side—for the weapons, the support, and the solidarity. Thank you for recognizing these women today,» emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.