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Female Ukrainian soldiers. It’s a group that started small at the beginning of the war, but now consists of nearly 50,000 women. Initially, they mostly received uniforms from volunteer organizations and other countries, as there were no military uniforms designed for their bodies. But as a new study uncovers uniform inequality for women in Ukraine’s army, it becomes clear that, despite considerable efforts from the Ukrainian government, those uniforms still don’t always meet their needs.
And yet, uniforms for female soldiers in Ukraine continue to be a major headache. Research has shown that the reality is not as rosy as the media would have us believe. So, what exactly is going wrong, and what can we learn from this? In this article, I’ll tell you all about it.
The uniforms of women in Ukraine’s army
Much has already been written about the uniforms of female soldiers in Ukraine,because a lot has changed in this area. In the early days, volunteers stepped in to produce the uniforms. They also supplied items like medication, hygiene products, and underwear, since the government failed to provide these essentials. Responding to the shortage of women’s uniforms, the Dutch Defence Ministry took action by sending 64 box pallets to Ukraine.
Fortunately, in May 2024, there was good news. After two years of working in men’s uniforms, female soldiers in Ukraine would finally receive suitable equipment. Dmytro Klimenkov, Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, proudly reported that 90% of the women had received their clothing package.
Now, Statewatch—a Ukrainian organization that investigates, among other things, defence spending—has delved into this issue. They examined the products that were developed and which were actually delivered. In addition, they interviewed female soldiers to paint a picture of the real situation. And that turns out to be a bit less optimistic than the Minister of Defence claims.
Summer and winter uniforms
Let’s start with the summer uniform. A total of 115,000 sets were delivered, ensuring that all 47,200 women who needed them received at least two sets. Unfortunately, insufficient research was done into sizing, resulting in two-thirds receiving the wrong size.
For extreme weather conditions, there are wind- and waterproof jackets. These winter garments are still only made for male soldiers. This means that the sizing starts at a body height of 158 cm, significantly taller than the 143 cm used as the smallest size in women’s uniforms. Chest circumference also starts at 84 cm, whereas in women’s uniforms it begins at 80 cm. Research among female soldiers showed that 81.8% therefore do not wear the correct size.
As a result, some women buy their own winter clothing, paying out of pocket. Others turn to volunteer organizations in the hope that uniforms are still available.
Underwear and footwear
The government has now also put together an underwear package for female soldiers. Sizes range from XS to XL. Unfortunately, only 42.2% of women have received this package. And of those who did, only 10.8% received the correct size. This is partly because the sizing does not take into account women with broader hips and chest measurements. The sizing of the uniforms (outerwear) shows that a large proportion of female soldiers have these body types.
It also appears that only 10% of the funds allocated for women’s underwear actually resulted in deliveries. As of October 18, 2024, this included 11,484 tops and 10,716 pairs of underwear.
Footwear sizing causes problems as well. Purchasers bought too few winter boots in the most common sizes (36–40), while they ordered six times more summer boots in smaller sizes (35–37). Because of this, 12.5% didn’t get winter shoes and 40.6% received the wrong size. For summer shoes, 23.4% went without a pair, and 10.9% ended up with the wrong size.
Bulletproof vests
The bulletproof vest is one of the most important protective items for a soldier. In 2024, two models specifically designed for the female body received approval for use. One was a standard model weighing at least 10.5 kg, and the other a special lightweight version starting at 7.5 kg. These vests featured narrower shoulders and adjustable shock-absorbing pads tailored to better fit female soldiers.
By the end of 2024, it became clear that the military had excluded these models from procurement tenders and purchasing lists. Instead, they chose only a unisex model, which reduces combat effectiveness for women and increases their risk of injury. This vest weighs between 10.5 kg in size S and 15.5 kg in size XL.
The procurement process ignored the fact that many women require smaller sizes. Research revealed that 70.3% of women received the wrong size, while 6.3% didn’t receive a vest at all. Many also reported poor fit, and 56.2% rated the vest’s quality as low to very low.
Helmets and hygiene
It probably comes as no surprise that helmet sizing is also inadequate. Among the surveyed female soldiers, 67.8% received the wrong size, and half rated the helmet quality as low or very low.
In terms of personal hygiene, many products are also lacking. The Ministry of Defence distributed 300,000 hygiene items, enough to supply 8,300 soldiers (both men and women) per year. The 850,000 towels also proved insufficient.
Women need specific items, such as sanitary pads and extra toilet paper. But since the government doesn’t supply them, volunteer organizations often step in to fill the gap.
New study uncovers uniform inequality for women in Ukraine’s army
It’s easy to say that Ukraine’s Defence Ministry has failed when it comes to equipping female soldiers, but it’s not that simple.
The research highlights that most issues stem from logistical and procedural problems. For example, 86% of the women have never had their bodies measured, and 40% remain unaware of the procedure for obtaining equipment. Still, many agree that the situation has improved compared to 2023, when the women’s uniform program had just started. However, plenty still goes wrong. Often, items are purchased before anyone assesses who needs which size. As a result, 86% of the women feel that the system overlooks their needs.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry is actively addressing the issue. On January 28, 2025, it announced that teams are developing water- and windproof jackets as well as lightweight bulletproof vests specifically for women. Alongside the winter clothing, new sets of women’s underwear are also being tested. A size chart is now available on the Defence Ministry’s website, helping soldiers determine their correct clothing and shoe sizes. There is a clear distinction between women’s and men’s sizing. The Ministry is clearly not sitting still.
Proper uniforms for female soldiers are not so simple
It’s clear that implementing military uniforms for women is not as simple as it seems. On paper, it sounds easy, but it involves much more: measuring sizes in advance, purchasing the correct quantities, and ensuring that everyone actually receives the equipment. These are essential steps if you want to properly protect female soldiers.
I hope this case offers a valuable lesson, not only for Ukraine, but for other countries as well. None of us wants war, but we better be well prepared. And that starts by protecting everyone properly.
Best regards,
Aileen