Summary
Ordinary Ukrainians have been affected by the war with Russia that started in February 2022, which led many civilians to become soldiers. The article shares personal stories of some of these Ukrainians who are now in the army, explaining how their lives have changed. These individuals describe how they have adapted to military life and the challenges they face.
Key Facts
- The conflict in Ukraine began with Russian attacks on 24 February 2022.
- Many Ukrainian civilians became soldiers quickly due to the conflict.
- Men aged 25 to 65 can be conscripted for military duty indefinitely in Ukraine.
- Women can choose to join the military on a contract basis.
- The article features stories of nine Ukrainian soldiers about their transformation from civilian to military life.
- One soldier, Olena, was a nightclub administrator before becoming a pilot in the army.
- Another soldier, Oleh, previously worked for an NGO and joined the military despite having no military background.
- Anastasiia, a 19-year-old, joined the army to work with drones and found military life challenging as a woman.
