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ABC News
ABC News
National
Europe correspondent Isabella Higgins and Tom Joyner in Lviv

Men are required to stay and defend Ukraine, but women face a difficult choice — to flee, or fight

Olga Kozytska is staying in Lviv to support military efforts. (ABC News: Isabella Higgins)

As war rages on in their country, the women of Ukraine have been faced with an agonising choice: flee with family to safety, or stay and fight. 

Ukraine's outnumbered military is relying on regular civilians to take up arms in the battle to defend their country, which has led to families being torn apart.

Martial law in the country prohibits men aged between 18 and 60 from leaving, while women, children and the elderly are allowed to seek safety.

She is one of many women across the country who made the heartbreaking choice to send their children to safety while they stay behind to hold the front line.

"I can't sleep, I'm just checking the news, I wake up every night at 3am or 5am … so to just sit at home and do nothing, I would become crazy," she said.

Less than two weeks ago, she was a fashion designer making clothes in a small studio on the outskirts of town.

After the invasion, she cancelled all orders and is now making military uniforms for free.

Her husband joined the military efforts and has been sent away to fight in the besieged capital, Kyiv.

"He's doing what he should do, I understand if he stays here, he will regret this, [he will feel] that he didn't do enough to protect his country.

"I'm worried about my children if my husband goes out and both their parents are here fighting.

"I'll try to do all this the best that I can… but who knows how it will end, and you should prepare your children for the worst-case scenario."

Ms Kozytska joins women from all walks of life who are taking up arms, joining medical units and wrangling supplies for war.

Stitching together threads of defiance

Around the clock, eight women work their sewing machines, stitching green and black thread into fresh military attire.

With war on their doorstep, these women started sewing uniforms for soldiers. (ABC News: Isabella Higgins)

Their latest job is to embroider dozens of red crosses into the sleeves of medic uniforms.

With so many new recruits, there is a shortage of apparel for soldiers working in the field.

"We want to do this because it's about our country… only women work here and I am very glad that we have the opportunity to help somehow," one says.

A growing number of women are also choosing to fight on the front line.

According to the Ukrainian military, women made up around 15 per cent of the country's armed forces before this war — but that is expected to grow.

Tatiana Shevchenko is one of the new recruits for the country's Territorial Defence Forces.

She left behind her job as a doctor to become a combat medic.

"I'm ready if the enemy comes, I will shoot and fight for my country," she said.

For her, this is the battle of a lifetime to ensure Ukraine remains free and democratic for generations to come.

Tatiana Shevchenko left her job as a doctor to become a combat medic in the Territorial Defence Forces. (ABC News: Tom Joyner)

"I wanted to join in 2014 as Russia invaded eastern parts of Ukraine and also Crimea, but during this time I had a 5-year-old son and also a 20-year-old daughter, so I couldn't go then," she said.

"Now, I am ready to fight."

She works mostly alongside men, for now running patrols of the city and training others on how to treat combat wounds.

She believes she is like many others in her homeland who now feel an all-encompassing national pride during these dark times.

As the invasion carries on, more and more blue and yellow flags are hung across the city of Lviv in a show of patriotism.

Ms Shevchenko says when she walks around and sees her country's colours hanging proudly across the city, she is reminded of what exactly she's fighting for.

The blue on the flag represents open, clear skies, and the yellow, the wide, prosperous wheat fields of Ukraine.

"I am proud that I am Ukrainian, and before this invasion, I would say I love my kids, my husband, and after that, Ukraine, in that order," she said.

Women supporting mammoth aid effort

Ulyana Shchurko will never forget the day this invasion happened – it was her 40th birthday.

Ulyana Shchurko is helping move the thousands of displaced people in Lviv. (ABC News: Isabella Higgins)

Her party was cancelled and her entire life changed in a moment.

"I was just thinking, what can I do, what can my family do, what can my children do… and where should I go to help my country to defend the land and the people?" she says.

She's fighting to find supplies and shelter for those fleeing violence. For days on end, she has met and transported hundreds of families around her home city of Lviv.

Each day, she spends hours at the city's train station as thousands pour into the city from war-stricken areas in eastern, southern and central parts of the country.

Already more than a million people have fled Ukraine altogether, and the city of Lviv has become a central transit point for those fleeing to other European nations.

There are signs of the displacement everywhere: abandoned cars, packed suitcases rolling behind families and long, teary goodbyes in the street.

"All I want is people to feel safe… and just to help my country in whatever way I can," Ms Shchurko says.

As Ukrainians flee the country, there are signs of the displacement everywhere. (ABC News: Tom Joyner)

She wonders what the next year will bring for these people and her country.

But occupying her mind most is what this war will mean for her three teenage children.

"I would like them not to know what the war is, but [now] they all know that we have to organise ourselves and to think of defence and then think of victory.

"If they have to [live through this] they will, I think, feel the freedom.

"Freedom will be more valuable afterwards for them."

English teacher turned soldier speaks from the frontline in Kyiv.
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