Hi, my name is Yulia, and my call-sign is Vidsutnia, which means ‘absent’ in Ukrainian. This year, I joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, serving as a crew member for assault UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). In my role as a FPV operator, I set up and launch drones on the Pokrovsk front.

My civilian life has also been defined by resistance. I organized feminist, environmental, and anarchist actions, and hosted educational events. I cooked meals for the homeless, and volunteered at orphanages and animal shelters. The punk scene was my first battleground, where I learned to stand up for freedom and the right to be heard. These ideas are still a core part of who I am.

I decided to join the military when I realized I could no longer stand aside. My entire life has been about making change: if you want to change something in society, start with yourself. Want to fight discrimination? Take action. Want to stop Russian imperialism? Resist! Resist! Resist!

My path to the Armed Forces wasn’t easy. The divisions I aimed for didn’t accept me—simply because I’m a woman. I went through the selection process on equal terms with everyone and never asked for special treatment, but that didn’t erase the biases. Eventually, I ended up exactly where I’m meant to be. My unit supports me, and here there’s no room for discrimination—only mutual respect. After more than two years of full-scale invasion, I can finally see the meaning in what I do, and I hope my actions will make a difference.

After more than two years of full-scale invasion, I finally feel a sense of purpose in what I do. I hope my actions will make a difference.