As Russia aggressively invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022, Yulia Mykytenko was among a handful of Ukrainian women rushing headlong to the closest enlistment centre to contribute to the military campaign. Not a neophyte to such situations, Mykytenko was enrolled in 2016 following her nuptial to Illia, a budding army officer, and became a participant in the war against Russia’s occupation of Donbas, an attack spanning two years at the time.
Following Illia’s tragic demise during a battle near Svitlodarsk in February 2018, she transitioned to an instructional position for new army recruits but was prepared for combat when Vladimir Putin intensified Russia’s invasion. Her actions were reflective of how Ukraine’s military preparedness and expertise, borne out of the 2014 incursion, remarkably allowed the nation to resist the 2022 aggressive escalation.
Tracing the last decade, Mykytenko’s narrative embodies both the maturity from the 2013 Maidan demonstrations to becoming a young recruit. Just until 2018, she was prohibited from participating in combat due to her gender, a reality met by inevitable objections from patriarchal opponents. At her appointment as a reconnaissance platoon leader in 2017, 80 per cent of the men requested a replacement, but she recognises the transformative impact of the war on societal perspectives.
The standout element of this book is its subtle illustration of the emotional landscape within war-torn Ukraine. Contrary to the Western perception of a united Ukraine standing valiantly against Russia’s forceful intimidations, the book reveals an existent gap between the soldiers and the common people, along with open derision for Ukrainians choosing to stay overseas despite relative peace in parts of the country. Further, there are mixed feelings of criticism and reluctant admiration for Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, due to his controversial dismissal of Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the popular chief of the armed forces, which caused uproar among the troops.
Entitled ‘How Good It Is I Have No Fear of Dying: Lieutenant Yulia Mykytenko’s Fight for Ukraine’, this book is a raw and honest depiction of one woman’s journey, invoking a deep reflection on Ukraine’s situation. It is remarkable and insightful.
“Barrowbeck, penned by Andrew Michael Hurley, offer tales shrouded in a foreboding atmosphere, akin to an unexpected late-night visitor. Tim Parks authored Mr Geography, a narrative that wrestles with the challenging decision between the comfort of familial mundanity and the enticing allure of forbidden desire.
The authenticity of Mykytenko’s narrative prevails in its candidness, an impressive feat given that it likely faced military scrutiny prior to publication. However, affords an opportunity for Ukraine to emphasise its social principles by allowing such a divergent perspective to be published. It showcases how, contrary to Russia, Ukraine cultivates a society that not only permits, but actively promotes multiple viewpoints.”