Yaryna Chornohuz, a soldier, poet, and this year’s laureate of Ukraine’s prestigious literary award, the Shevchenko Prize, spoke to The Ukrainian Week about her military service in Kyiv, conversations with her daughter, military literature, and the potential for more Ukrainian women to join the men on a frontline.
About the Shevchenko Prize
“This came as a huge surprise to me. Sometime in November, while I was stationed in Kherson with the marines, I got a message from Tetiana Teren [executive director of the Ukrainian PEN, – Ed.]. She told me they had decided to nominate me and asked me to fill out a questionnaire.
“Really? This is only my second collection, and I don’t expect much.”
“We think you’re a strong candidate. That’s why we’re putting you forward.”
“Well, alright then…”
But I thought it wouldn’t amount to much. Honestly, I even forgot about it.
And I was amazed!
Dmytro Lazutkin (the second winner in the “Literature” category, – Ed.) has numerous collections and has penned a great deal. I read his work back in the eleventh grade and quoted his poems during my first year of philology studies. I truly admired his poems! I’m thrilled that the two of us received the prize together; he is an incredibly talented poet.
About Yaryna’s current work
I’m not really allowed to talk about it. But I’m involved in analytical work on armaments. It’s probably temporary because both my husband and I will be needed on… Actually, no. We are already needed on the front lines, right now.
We haven’t had rotations for 2,5 years. The areas of responsibility have changed, but there was only a 10-day leave—and that’s it.
Nevertheless, I wouldn’t have accepted the offer to transfer to Kyiv if it weren’t for my daughter. This decision was solely driven by that; I need to be with her now. Four years of my absence have had an impact on her, and I need time to fix everything.
If I’m honest, I really miss the camaraderie and the combat work. And I think I’ll return. I’m okay with the prospect of coming back in, let’s say, five years. I understand that I will still be needed.
In addition, my husband doesn’t have children of his own yet. I have them [from my previous marriage—Ed.]; he doesn’t. One day, I would love for him to become a father.
About children amidst war
At the outset, I had very candid conversations with my daughter. Every now and then, she would express reluctance to go to school, citing tiredness—much like children do. My response was firm: “You must attend to learn, not just for yourself but for those children whom the war has snatched away. Those whom Russia has taken from us. We must learn because we pay a hefty price for our country. We pay with our lives.”
Later on, her father—a civilian—mentioned that I might be telling her too much. He said it’s tough for her to hear about death, given all she’s been through. You see, I spent quite a while on the front lines. At one point, they sent her abroad—her father sent her off with friends because he couldn’t go himself back then, and I was actively involved in battles in the Volnovakha district. Those two months in Europe were incredibly tough for her. No family nearby… I make an effort to keep our conversations open, explaining everything as best as I can—but I try to avoid bringing up the topic of death unnecessarily.
Later, my daughter spent some time in the U.S. with her father. When she came back to Ukraine, she was thrilled. Yet, a few things did disappoint her. Like when we found what seemed to be a good school—a private one—but there she faced bullying for speaking Ukrainian…
At just nine years old, she’s already adept at administering first aid. I’ve taught her how to use a tourniquet. Whether she’ll have the strength to tighten it is, of course, uncertain—but she grasps the concept.
About changes in attitudes towards women in the Ukrainian army
Even before the full-scale Russian invasion, I underwent basic training in the marine infantry. Women were housed separately from men. One woman didn’t appreciate my lack of support for the ‘philosophy’ that women should have it easier in the army. I’d return from marches covered in grass, and all of that debris would spill from my vest onto her bunk… There were also a few other girls who were a bit miffed when we marched for extended periods—and I insisted on marching in formation with the men. The girls were allowed to march separately. Eventually, I relocated to the accommodation with the male soldiers. It was a bit of a stressful time for the head of the marine infantry school, and the guys themselves were a bit uneasy. Because from then on, they thought, I’d be sharing the showers with them! (laughs) I stayed with them, but I continued using the women’s shower facilities. Then, a new group of girls arrived, and I moved in with a different group of female soldiers.
For a long time, I was the only girl in my platoon and the only one in the battalion in a combat role—as the combat medic of the reconnaissance platoon. With the onset of the full-scale war, two more girls joined. Overall, there were more girls in combat roles.
However, to be honest, much stayed the same. It is rather challenging for girls to mobilise through the TCR (Territorial Centres of Recruitment and Social Support). And once in their service positions, everything depends on the specific commander of the unit. Yet, I am convinced that in 2014-2015, there were significantly more stereotypes about women in the Armed Forces.
About Yaryna’s husband
My husband and I started dating in 2020, and we got married in 2021. At the time, we served in different units.
In November 2021, his regular contract ended. He took a brief break—two months. And just before the full-scale war, he arrived at our positions. He said, “Hello, I already have three contracts. I’ve been a scout and a machine gunner.” They told him, “OK, let’s put you on the RPK [machine gun – Ed.].” But it took three months to process his paperwork. During this time, he fought without pay, simply as a volunteer. As he said—like a freelancer. A freelance machine gunner!
About military and veteran literature
I couldn’t recommend Arthur Dron strongly enough. His collection “We Were Here” is really impressive. I recently bought it myself. Also, I highly recommend Lisa Zharikova, whose print run of “Ants of Johann Sebastian” is already out. She’s currently serving in the Territorial Defence Forces and working as a combat medic. Her writing is of very high quality.
Soon, the collection by my friends Vasek Dukhnovsky and Olenka Sokolovska will be released. They are just about to publish, and I’m also lending a hand with that. Vasek is now on the front for the second time—it’s been three years since his mobilisation. He has some truly remarkable philosophical poems, without a heavy emphasis on military themes. Very profound. His wife, Olenka, who is waiting for him, is also a poet. And the collection will be a joint effort.
I also recommend Valeriya Puzik, also known as “Kit Kharakternyk”[“Kharekternyk” is Ukrainian for a folk figure of ‘half-magician’, ‘half-warrior’, ‘soothsayer’, allegedly living among Cossacks in medieval times – Ed.]. There’s a lot worth paying attention to right now!
Soon, I might be moderating the presentation of Valeriya Subotina’s book “Captivity”. I’m trying to actively get involved while I’m in Kyiv in helping other poets and writers—those who have frontline experience.
About the situation on the front
In Ukraine, a significant challenge with mobilisation is the shortage of personnel. If appropriate political decisions aren’t made regarding mobilisation and bolstering the front lines—I fear we might start losing territories. I hope to be mistaken about this; I’m just a senior soldier [title in Ukraine’s Armed Forces – Ed.], and I don’t have the full picture. But that’s the sense I get, unfortunately.
I wholeheartedly endorse the mobilisation of women in Ukraine. When I share these views with my volunteer friends or those dedicated to safeguarding soldiers’ rights—they express willingness. “But you see, most women aren’t prepared.” To which I respond, we don’t truly know if they’re prepared. No surveys have been conducted. Women who have lost their loved ones in the war, mothers who have lost sons—wouldn’t they desire to continue the battle?
If it was announced that we required, let’s say, 50 thousand mobilised women for the army’s needs—these women would step forward.
When I posted about this topic, girls often noted that they support the idea: “Volunteering at my own initiative—probably no, because finding ways to fit in somewhere is a challenge for a woman. But if I’m told that the state needs me—I’ll go in a heartbeat.”
