Female Ukrainian Soldiers Made To March In Heels

The Ukrainian ministry of defence has been criticised after releasing official pictures of female soldiers practising marching in heels, ahead of the country's Independence Day Parade. 

The parade, scheduled for next month, will mark Ukraine's 30 years of independence following the Soviet Union's breakup.

One cadet is quoted on the Ukrainian MOD's information site, ArmiaInform, saying: "It's a little harder than in berets, but we try.

"I will take part in the parade for the first time. I really wanted that. When I was still in school, I liked to watch parades.

"At training, I try very hard not to let down neither our officers nor our "square".

"My parents were delighted to learn that I would take part in the parade. They promised that they would definitely come to Khreshchatyk to support me."

Ukrainian law-makers appeared in the country's parliament with pairs of heels, criticising the Minister of Defence.

Inna Sovsun, a member of the Golos party, is reported to have called the idea "idiotic" and "harmful".

She added that Ukraine's women soldiers, like their male counterparts, were risking their lives and "do not deserve to be mocked”.

Figures from December 2020 show that there are currently 58,000 women serving in the armed forces of Ukraine.

Cover image: Ukrainian ministry of defence.