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 after considerable efforts from the Ukrainian government, those uniforms are now available.
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 female soldiers in Ukraine
Much has already been written about the uniforms of female soldiers in Ukraine—because a lot has happened in this area. In the beginning, it was volunteers who made the uniforms. They also provided items such as medication, hygiene products, and underwear, as these were not supplied by the government. Due to the shortage of women’s uniforms, the Dutch Defence Ministry took action and sent 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 also poses problems. Too few winter boots were purchased in the most common sizes (36–40), while the purchase of smaller sizes (35–37) for summer boots was six times higher. As a result, 12.5% did not receive winter shoes and 40.6% received the wrong size. For summer shoes, 23.4% did not receive a pair, and 10.9% received the wrong size.
Bulletproof vests
One of the most important protective items for a soldier is the bulletproof vest. In 2024, two models were available that were designed for the female body and approved 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 were narrower at the shoulders and had shock-absorbing pads that could be adjusted to fit the female body.
By the end of 2024, it became clear that these models were not included in procurement tenders or purchasing lists. Only a unisex model was procured, which reduces combat effectiveness for women. This unisex model also increases the risk of injury for female soldiers. The weight of this vest ranges from 10.5 kg in size S to 15.5 kg in size XL.
During the procurement process, no consideration was given to the fact that many women need smaller sizes. Research showed that 70.3% received the wrong size, and 6.3% didn’t receive one at all. Women also reported that the fit is poor, and 56.2% rated the quality of the vest 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 have specific needs, such as sanitary pads and additional toilet paper. These are often supplied by volunteer organizations, as the government does not provide them.
Uniforms for female soldiers in Ukraine still a headache
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 shows that many issues are logistical and procedural. For example, 86% of the women have never had their bodies measured, and 40% don’t even know the procedure for obtaining equipment. Still, they acknowledge that things are better than in 2023, when the women’s uniform program had only just begun. But much still goes wrong. Items are often purchased before any inventory has been taken of who needs which size. As a result, 86% of the women feel that their needs are not being taken into account.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defence Ministry is actively working on this issue. On January 28, 2025, it was announced that the development of water- and windproof jackets and lightweight bulletproof vests for women is in full swing. 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