'We save their lives, so they save ours'

By Kathrin Franziska Beck

Sunday 11 January 2026

Ukrainian women are volunteering across the country to support soldiers on the frontline, reflecting a resilient society built on mutual responsibility and solidarity.

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At Cabo da Roca, ‘where the earth ends and the sea begins’, as the Portuguese poet Luís Vaz de Camões described this coastal region, Oksana said yes when Taras asked her to be his wife. Taras deliberately asked her the day after her birthday, jokingly stating that he didn’t want to spoil her birthday in case she said no. Oksana has long dreamed of revisiting this place, but it is uncertain when she will be able to return there with her husband.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022, volunteers in numerous Ukrainian cities have provided various support services to the Armed Forces. These services range from making trench candles and warming balms to preparing dehydrated meals for soldiers on the frontline. Just one day after the invasion began, volunteers at the By Porokhova centre in Lviv began producing camouflage nets, ghillie suits and helmet covers to help protect military equipment and soldiers.

On a freezing afternoon in a snow-covered Lviv, volunteers gather in a modest building dating back to 1911 that gives little indication of the important work being done inside. A dark-red staircase leads up two floors, its walls adorned with murals painted by children. One depicts a family, with parents holding an umbrella over their two children to shield them from the rain.

Inside the room, completed camouflage nets are stacked, ready to be sent to the frontline. The wooden frames used to make them are wrapped in fairy lights. A small Christmas tree with blue and yellow baubles stands in a long, gold-coloured casing marked ‘HE D-30’, an empty artillery propellant cartridge, while ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’ plays in the background. A glance around the room reveals that these nets are made by volunteers of all ages, although one thing stands out: the majority of Ukrainian volunteers at this centre are women.

Oksana, 34, explains that she had already been working at the centre as a volunteer before her husband joined the military: ‘I was here every day, because I wanted to support our soldiers.’ In July 2024, her husband enlisted in the Armed Forces. Like many Ukrainian soldiers, he had no prior military experience. He had managed a pump manufacturing company in Kharkiv. After the full-scale invasion began, they settled in Lviv and set up a new business. Since her husband joined the military, she has taken over the running of the company.

When were they able to see each other again for the first time after he joined the Armed Forces? ‘During the first year of his service, we didn't see each other at all. At that time, it was not possible to rotate soldiers, because he was deployed in a very dangerous area.’ In order to see her husband again, Oksana travelled with her daughter to a town near the frontline. While her husband had to work during the day, they were at least able to spend the evenings together. Oksana adds, visibly moved: ‘The place where we first met after a year apart no longer exists. It is now under Russian occupation.’

Svitlana, 47, is one of the co-ordinators of the centre. She has been working here since the early days of the full-scale invasion, while also building drones, fundraising for military needs and supporting other auxiliary collections. Like Oksana’s husband, her husband is also in the military.

What motivates Svitlana to volunteer? ‘My motivation is to see my country free from occupiers. I know I can do more than just make regular donations; this is a must now. But there is also further work that needs to be done, because the military requires it.’ Is there a message from the soldiers that has made an impression on her? ‘I remember writing, as I often do, “take care of yourself” to a soldier, who replied, "we take care of you". I think there is no greater motivation.’ She relates that another soldier praised the high quality of the nets and sent the following message: ‘ “You give us the net, and we will give you victory. ” It was extremely touching.’ Receiving messages from her husband, for whom they also made nets, is especially important to her.

Nina, 65, also volunteers her time for Ukrainian soldiers. She is at the centre every day, ‘from eight in the morning until eight in the evening’ . She has made herself comfortable in a small corner, commenting: ‘Here is my second home.’ On her desk are countless crafts made by the volunteers’ children, including crocheted soft toys and several clay tryzubs, the national symbol of Ukraine. One immediately gets the impression that this corner would not be complete without Nina.

She reports that, in addition to Ukrainians, there are also more than 350 foreign volunteers. They come from numerous countries, including Poland, Germany, Finland, Colombia, Canada and the United States, to support Ukraine. Many of these foreign volunteers return repeatedly to offer their assistance.

Luba, 77, proudly presents two of a total of nine booklets in which volunteers from abroad describe why they support Ukraine. A Canadian writes as follows: ‘I admire Ukraine’s resilience, bravery, the kindness of its people. I have been on your side and always will be.’ A German writes: ‘This war is so close. I must do something.’ A Croatian woman notes: ‘I came to Ukraine to support it because I believe in Ukraine and Ukrainian people. I believe that ideas are proven by actions.’ Luba points to the comment of a Swede, who states: ‘I can’t do much, but I can do something. Something is better than nothing. Never stop being the kindest, most incredible, and most resilient people you all are.’

What should people abroad know about Ukrainian women? ‘Many people don’t realise how strong the wives of military personnel are. Mothers and sisters are also very strong. We can achieve anything’, says Oksana. For example women now have to juggle ‘the roles of both mother and father’. She also notes that, since the war began, many professions traditionally occupied by men are now being taken on by women. This is true for her as well: she is now the director of the company, although some customers still feel uneasy about it.

Nonetheless Oksana modestly says that, compared to her husband's life, she sometimes feels that her life is not difficult and therefore she should not complain. However, she has realised that she too has the right to find her life, which she now has to live alone, difficult. What helps her during this time? ‘I have my daughter and two cats, and I do yoga, which helps.’ However, the fact that her parents still live in Kharkiv is a great worry for her.

Svitlana, too, notes that she is sometimes affected by fatigue and burnout: ‘In these moments, I want to quit everything and do nothing. But I am strongly supported by my friends, our volunteer community, and by the understanding that the military, who give their health and risk their lives every day, are even more exhausted.’

Nina says she regularly receives feedback from soldiers on the quality of the nets. ‘Some soldiers once told me they had used our net to cover their tank before going into the forest for a smoke break. When they returned, they thought their tank had been stolen, because they couldn’t see it anywhere. ’ Visibly proud, she adds: ‘The nets hide the tanks so well.’

What is her greatest motivation? ‘We save their lives, so they save ours.’ She explains that the nets not only protect weapons and tanks, but also human lives. ‘A soldier once told me that he was running through an open field and was being followed by a russian drone. He didn’t know where to hide, with no cover in sight. He decided to lie down on the ground and hide under our net. The drone flew over him but did not detect him.’

The next day Luba explains that once a camouflage net is completed, the volunteers sing the

Ukrainian national anthem together, a ritual intended to bring good luck to the soldiers on the

frontline. Today is no exception. After singing the national anthem, some volunteers prepare to end the evening session. However, a few volunteers are already back at work, starting on the next camouflage net. Nina also sits down again at her table in the corner of the room, preparing the next camouflage stripes for processing.

Oksana does not show up the next day, choosing to spend time with her daughter instead. While her husband defends their homeland at the risk of his life, Oksana takes care of their child and business without complaining. The last time she saw her husband was in the summer of 2025, shortly after visiting him on the frontline. He had been in Lviv for two weeks to recover from a head injury he sustained in a nearby explosion. This was his first stay in Lviv since joining the military. When will she and her husband see each other again? ‘I hope that we can meet again in February 2026. Every year, we used to travel to Portugal on my birthday. Now, we would love to show our daughter the place where Taras proposed to me.'

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Kathrin Beck is Professor of Youth and Social Work in Schools in the Crisis Prevention Team at the Catholic Foundation University in Munich, Germany. She can be contacted at kathrin.beck@ksh-m.de.