In the words of Viktoriia Husak: “For me, being a commander means setting an example through my own actions and standing up for every life”

Photo: from the personal archive of Viktoriia Husak

Viktoriia Husak is the commander of the Second Tactical Evacuation Platoon within the Pre-Medical and Medical Assistance Unit of the Special Purpose Police Department “United Assault Brigade “Liut.” Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Viktoriia served in the Patrol Police in her hometown of Vinnytsia, where she maintained public order. 

Viktoria says she joined the police because she always felt that her desire was to help people. In 2023, she decided to do even more to help others.

Read more about her professional journey, what her working day is like, and what inspires her to keep going in an interview with Viktoriia marking the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace, and Security.” 

How long have you been with the police? Why did you decide to become a police officer?

I joined the police force in 2017. I am originally from Vinnytsia, and after graduating from high school, I continued my education at a vocational school. When the police reform began and there was an opportunity to join the patrol police through a simplified program, I took that chance and stayed to serve in Vinnytsia. 

After the full-scale invasion, I realized that what I was doing was not enough—I wanted to save and help more. I was confident in my skills, so I joined the Tsunami Assault Regiment, where I also deepened my knowledge of medical care. 

I am currently serving as a police officer in the Special Purpose Police Department “Liut” Assault Brigade. I work in the medical support and assistance unit. Although we are all police officers, the special purpose unit carries out combat missions directly in the combat zone.

Currently, I hold the position of Commander of a Tactical Evacuation Platoon. Our unit is responsible for evacuating wounded personnel from the front line using armored vehicles and medical evacuation vehicles. We are also involved in performing medical tasks, which include accompanying, stabilizing, and further transporting wounded personnel to medical facilities.

Can you tell more about the “Liut” Brigade? What are its current tasks?

The assault brigade is relatively young but extremely efficient.

For example, two years ago, we were deployed to hot spots with full battalions. These were intense assault operations that brought tangible results — liberating villages, regaining control over parts of settlements, and strengthening defenses in critical areas.

Our strength comes from our specialization: as an assault unit, we usually go where it is most difficult, support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and cover the flanks where it is most needed. Right now, we are mainly focused on defensive operations, but our profile and experience remain assault-oriented: at any moment, we can switch to the offensive and carry out complex combat missions.

What are your main responsibilities in the team? 

I joined the brigade as an assault soldier and later became a medic. A year ago, our brigade established a Pre-Medical Care Unit — a structure unique to the National Police that coordinates the entire tactical medicine component.

My unit is a tactical evacuation platoon. We have several such platoons, and our task is to provide medical evacuation and transfer of the wounded from the front line to stabilization points and then on to primary surgical facilities. 

Our work begins with telemedicine: the wounded can contact us via radio or messenger and receive instructions until medics arrive. On the front line, our medics are on duty in trench shelters, where they carry out essential stabilization procedures, including bleeding control and preparation for transportation.

The wounded are then transported by armored or medical evacuation vehicles to a stabilization point, from where they are referred to receive primary surgical care. We are proud to have introduced donor blood transfusions directly in evacuation vehicles, even before reaching the stabilization point. 

We have also signed a memorandum with Superhumans [All-Ukrainian modern center for military trauma, specializing in prosthetics, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and psychological support for adults and children affected by war since 2022], which enables the transportation of seriously wounded soldiers who require prosthetics or long-term rehabilitation directly to the center in specialized medical vehicles. Sometimes it takes 12–15 hours to get there, but it offers a person the chance for a new life.

In addition to evacuation platoons, we also have a medical team. All military personnel can be treated there for combat or non-combat injuries. The team includes therapists, surgeons, and doctors of other specialties who provide care, treat patients, and refer them to hospitals.

Photo: United Assault Brigade “Liut”

How many people serve in the platoon? Are there many women among them?

There are currently 16 people serving in my platoon, and the full staff is 21. e are now actively recruiting new members. Overall, our unit has several tactical evacuation platoons, each consisting of about 21 people. There are also medical departments and other specialized units, so the system is built comprehensively – from the evacuation of the wounded to their treatment and stabilization.

We have quite a big number of women here, which is reasonable because all the necessary conditions have been created for them. If you strive to grow and work diligently, you will be recognized and supported. This is particularly important in medicine: when a wounded person is treated by a female medic, they often first see her smile and compassion — and that, too, helps with healing.

Women hold leadership positions, and their opinions are taken into account. Here, everything depends not on gender, but on professionalism. If a person has strong theoretical background, practical experience, and is genuinely committed to his or her work, he or she is respected. We discuss changes, innovations, or process improvements together, as a team.

Now, girls are actively involved in sharing their experiences abroad. A year ago, it was impossible for me to imagine that I would be sent to Sweden to speak and share our wartime experience. At that time, it seemed inappropriate for women. However, today it is considered normal. People listen to us, respect us, and we have the same right to represent our unit and our country.

What was your main motivation to work in such a position?

I have always been driven by a desire to help people. It is an inner conviction that doesn’t allow me to stand aside. I’ve constantly searched for my purpose, wanting to grow and do more than I did yesterday. I really enjoyed working in the police, especially in public safety. We responded to calls, were on duty during mass gatherings, and helped in emergencies – from traffic accidents to family conflicts. That's where I first realized how important it is to be there for people when they need help.

When Russia's full-scale invasion started, my motivation became even stronger. Like for many Ukrainians, the main thing for me is that the war never reaches my home, my family. But what drives me even more is compassion for those who already live near the front line, who have lost their homes, safety, and loved ones. I realized that I could be useful and really help in my profession.

Sometimes, it’s the simplest moments that remind me why I do this work. For example, in frontline towns, when I walk around in uniform, people may simply approach me to hug, thank, or offer me some coffee. People say, “We are not alone. Thank you for being here.” And in such moments, it feels like you get a thousand percent more motivation — you realize that it’s all worth it, that you are exactly where you need to be.

I sincerely love my job. It gives me meaning, strength, and confidence. And I know for sure that my colleagues and I will save many more lives.

What does being a commander mean to you – how do you motivate and support your platoon in difficult conditions?

For me, being a commander means showing an example through my own actions. You have to work hard, be dedicated to your job, do it well and professionally, and stand up for every life. Even when you're tired, hungry, or covered in dirt, you have to stay responsible and give your all to your work.

I never demand more from my team than I do myself. Sometimes I tell them: “If I can do it, so can you.” Only by setting a personal example you can inspire your team and lead them forward.

How do you manage to stay emotionally involved and not burn out working in this field? 

I suppose burnout may happen someday, but definitely not now. I love medical care so much because it presents new challenges every day and pushes me to grow. The war changes every day, and we cannot just sit back and wait. We have to keep learning — reading, talking with colleagues, analyzing the tactical situation, and staying up to date with modern life-saving methods. 

Perhaps it comes a little later, of course people here often become “tougher.” Women get used to it. You get used to it. But in the moments of evacuating the wounded, he or she becomes the center of the universe, and everything revolves around saving his or her life.

Do you feel supported by your male colleagues in your department? 

At first, when I became a commander, not everyone took it seriously. To be honest, there were doubts: “A girl as a commander? Let's see how that goes.” That's normal — after all, most of the personnel, about 80%, are men. But over time, everything changed. The team has seen how I work, how much effort I put in, and how dedicated I am to my job. When I give an order or assign a task, they know that I would do the same myself. Most importantly, I would never put a staff member in a dangerous situation unnecessarily. 

Yes, I am a woman, and when a difficult evacuation or resuscitation is over, I may sit down somewhere for a minute and cry. Those are emotions, and that's normal. But I have a wonderful team — the guys work well together and support each other. 

Sometimes there are little things that stick in your memory for a long time. For example, after 90 days at their positions near Toretsk, the guys returned exhausted. They said, “We would love to just have some Coca-Cola.” The shops there were closed, of course, but we found some chocolate bars and a few drinks in the car — and for them it was like a celebration.

What other stereotypes have you faced? How did you overcome them?

One of the most common stereotypes is that women are “too emotional” and unable to make decisions with a “cool head.” In reality, my decisions directly impact not only the life of the wounded soldier, but also the safety of the entire team. We assess the tactical situation and act according to the instructions — there is no room for doubt or regret. If someone in the team cannot complete the task, I go instead. If we need to act as a pair, I go with the commander. We do what needs to be done, because sometimes someone's life depends on it.

Another stereotype is that women are physically weaker. I’ve been doing weightlifting for a long time, so I do the hard work myself: lifting, carrying, evacuating the wounded — that's my job. Practice and training prove that professionalism and responsibility are more important than stereotypes.

So, speaking about tactical evacuation work, is certain physical training necessary? 

In tactical evacuation units, this is a mandatory requirement. We have common standards for the entire special police department: special physical training, education, annual evaluations. Therefore, everyone must be prepared to handle both physical and psychological stress.

During an evacuation, there are moments when you might find yourself completely on your own, without any support. For example, under shelling, when someone nearby is wounded, you may need to drive the vehicle, assist the injured person, and monitor the situation all at once. In such conditions, the main thing is to remain calm, endure, and be able to act without fear.

In your opinion, to what extent are women and men treated equally in your platoon?

We work as equals – I listen to the guys, and they listen to me. Over two years of working together, we have built mutual respect and trust. If they ever had doubts about a decision made by their woman commander, that is no longer the case: I give the order, and they carry it out, and when necessary, we discuss everything together.

We value everyone's experience: some have more combat knowledge, others have medical training, and all opinions are important. We don't divide work into “men's” or “women's” tasks — we share one goal, and everyone does everything possible to save lives.

Photo: United Assault Brigade “Liut”

What do you think needs to be done to give women in the police more opportunities for career development?

I think that today, the police have already done a lot to ensure that women have equal rights and opportunities compared to men. We see women in leadership positions, in combat units, and in the medical field. However, in my opinion, it is worth increasing media coverage — to tell stories about professional women who do extremely important work every day but remain behind the scenes. And, of course, it’s important to improve service conditions — in particular, to provide uniforms and body armor adapted for women. Overall, compared to the past, the situation has changed dramatically — today, the principle of equality truly works within the police.

How do you see the future of women in Ukraine's security and defense sector? 

Bright and promising. Many women have already gained authority and proven that they can lead, make decisions, and take responsibility. I am confident that, over time, there will be women generals among them who will set new standards of service and share their unique experience at the international level.

The experience that Ukrainian women have gained during this war is invaluable. It cannot be found in any textbooks, yet it is precisely this experience that is shaping new approaches in military medicine and tactics. For example, the Tactical Combat Casualty Care recommendations are already being revised to reflect Ukrainian combat experience. And it is crucial to share this knowledge and tell the world about our practices. Because we work in conditions where there is no “golden hour” and helicopters do not arrive, yet we still save lives.

What would you like to say to young women who wish to serve in the police or other security institutions but have doubts about their ability?

I would advise all women and girls to believe in themselves first and not wait for someone else's approval. It is important to be honest with yourself and love what you do. Knowledge and experience come with time — the main thing is to have the desire to learn and continue improving.

When I transferred from the Patrol Police, I only knew the basics, but confidence and perseverance helped me grow professionally. There will always be those who doubt you, but if you are confident in your choice, you will succeed.

Self-belief is essential. When you are confident that you are in the right place, doing important work — saving lives, helping the army, bringing victory closer — that is the highest motivation, especially during wartime.

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the Government of Norway, but this does not imply that the views and opinions expressed herein necessarily reflect the official position of the United Nations.