In Belgorod, around 20 women who willingly enlisted in the armed forces under contract were prevented from deploying to the war zone in Ukraine. Despite signing contracts with the explicit intention of serving in hospitals, military authorities insisted that these women “should stay here, in a more peaceful setting," as reported by one of the affected enlistees to the 72.RU media outlet.
Olga, a medical professional from Tyumen, entered into a contract in June and was stationed in a military unit in the Belgorod region, where she has been residing for the past five months. According to Olga, the unit is “designated for territorial defense, and female medical personnel are restricted from deployment to the SMO (Special Military Operation) area”. Approximately 20 women from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and Voronezh are facing similar restrictions.
"Their explanation is simply that 'It's not a woman's job. You should stay here, in a more peaceful setting.' [...] We've engaged our company commander, and his response is, 'You have no business there, stay here,'" conveyed Olga to 72.RU.
Living in barracks alongside those serving their compulsory military service, Olga explores the city and spends time reading. Unable to return home, she receives a salary lower than her civilian earnings. Determined to be deployed to the frontlines, she plans to dissuade other women from entering military service contracts if her efforts prove futile.
Irina, another resident of Tyumen, was discharged from service due to a positive HIV test. Despite receiving a negative result in a subsequent test upon her return home, Irina has been unable to resume her military duties for the past three months.
The recruitment of women for contract service began in the summer of 2023, with the media highlighting stories of women from Krasnoyarsk and Voronezh who signed military service contracts. In Vladikavkaz, a pregnant servicewoman received a six-year prison sentence for failing to report to her military unit.
In October, the news broke of the death of Oksana Sotsevich, a doctor from Kaluga. According to her friend, Sotsevich had gone to war for the sake of her child.
