Volunteer Group in Ukraine Produces Clothes for Women Soldiers

Volunteer Group in Ukraine Produces Clothes for Women Soldiers

A volunteer organization in Ukraine is producing much-needed clothes for women soldiers fighting in the country's war against Russia.

The group, called Zemliachky, is now serving many of the 57,000 women serving in Ukraine's military. It provides things like uniforms, boots, underwear and personal care materials.

The nonprofit group was co-founded by Kseniia Drahaniuk. She is related to 25-year-old female soldier Anastasia Mokhina. Mokhina volunteered along with her husband to fight against Russia to help defend Ukraine. After joining the war effort, however, Mokhina learned that Ukraine's military was not well prepared to supply clothes and equipment to female soldiers.

This led Drahaniuk to start collecting necessary materials to send to Mokhina. Drahaniuk later decided¹ to create a homegrown supply operation for other women soldiers.

"Our army was not prepared for the fact that so many women would appear in the army," said Drahaniuk.

Today, at least 6,000 Ukrainian women have been deployed² on or near the front lines in the war against Russia. Some serve in positions such as medics or intelligence officers. Others take part in more traditional fighting activities.

They have joined the fight in a country where nearly all men aged³ 18 to 60 have been banned from leaving Ukraine under martial⁴ law enacted⁵ after Russia's invasion.

When Drahaniuk's group got started, it outsourced the manufacturing of uniforms for women. But it has since designed and produced them from its own factory in the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

The organization has helped give out more than $1 million worth of military support. About one-fifth of the money comes from direct donations. The rest is provided in goods or services. Corporate⁶ donors⁷ include medical supply companies, beauty centers and companies in the gaming industry, Drahaniuk said.

Mokhina has worked as a signals and communications specialist and with territorial⁸ defense⁹ troops in Kyiv.

"We just wanted to fight back," Mokhina said. "So my father and I said, ‘We will go' — and went straight to the nearby army post."

After Russia's invasion, Ukraine's military outfitted¹⁰ many women with small-sized men's uniforms or boots. In recent months, Zemliachky has created designs meant to fit women's bodies, sizes and needs.

Numerous orders come in and go out by truck, train and other transportation services daily. The group established a space in northeastern Kyiv where women on leave can come to pick up what they need. All materials are provided at no cost.

"Ksyusha gave us everything we wear. ... She is our savior," said Maria Stalynska. She joined the military in August and has been fighting on front lines. Ksyusha is another name some people use for Drahaniuk. "There are even cases when we need medicine or a hospital. We immediately go to Ksyusha," Stalynska added.

Drahaniuk said she once got a call saying that an order of 10 uniforms and pairs of shoes needed to be reduced to five – after a Russian attack took five women's lives.

"They really give their lives for the freedom of our country," Drahaniuk said.

Words in This Story

martial law – n. the control of a country by its military instead of elected leaders

outsource – v. to pay for goods or services from an outside or foreign supplier

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

3 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

4 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。

5 enacted   

制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• legislation enacted by parliament 由议会通过的法律
• Outside in the little lobby another scene was begin enacted. 外面的小休息室里又是另一番景象。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

6 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

7 donors   

n.捐赠者( donor的名词复数 )；献血者；捐血者；器官捐献者

参考例句：

• Please email us to be removed from our active list of blood donors. 假如你想把自己的名字从献血联系人名单中删去，请给我们发电子邮件。
• About half this amount comes from individual donors and bequests. 这笔钱大约有一半来自个人捐赠及遗赠。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

9 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

10 outfitted   

v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• They outfitted for the long journey. 他们为远途旅行准备装束。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• They outfitted him with artificial legs. 他们为他安了假腿。 来自辞典例句