The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
She has gone from civilian work to commanding a combat unit. Sergeant Iryna Khomenko, callsign “Vidma” (Witch), serves in the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade and leads an electronic warfare platoon.
The story of the defender was published on the brigade’s page.
Before the war, Iryna worked as a precious metals appraisal expert. After February 24, 2022, upon hearing explosions, she went to the village council and said: “I cannot sit at home — I have to act!” This marked the beginning of her journey: joining a volunteer formation, patrolling, assisting the territorial defense, and volunteering.
The hardest trial was the liberation of Bucha.
“It was sheer horror: dead bodies were everywhere — on the streets, in yards, even in wells. That’s when I realized: if we don’t defend our land — we will lose everything”, — Iryna recalls.
This pain became the impetus for joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At first, she trained as a cook, served in the 59th Brigade, went through injuries and hospitalization, and later joined the 21st Brigade. There, she became an operator of an electronic warfare station, and within a year — a platoon commander.
“Leading a male unit is not easy, but I do not back down. Sergeant leadership courses helped, the main thing is to create the right atmosphere within the team. We work as one unit, and that is very important”, — she says.
Iryna is a mother of three sons. Her children refuse to leave the country because they believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“I must justify their trust”, — emphasizes the warrior.
For EW specialists, according to her, the main things are computer skills and the ability to coordinate with other units.
“When the guys happily say after a watch: ‘I see — drones are coming, I press a button, and they fall!’ — that is a great satisfaction”, — smiles the commander.
The brigade congratulated Iryna and her colleagues on their professional holiday, wishing them endurance, health, and many more small and large victories.
