"Before, in this place underground, there were no women at all," said former accountant Iryna, who has become an elevator operator at a mine in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Speaking in a report by Associated Press journalists Vasilisa Stepanenko and Samya Kullab, she recounts her experience after being inspired by her husband's 15-year career at the same facility.

She told AP, "Women appeared here after the start of the full-scale invasion when a lot of men left to defend our country."

The transformation of Ukraine's mining industry emerges as women step into roles traditionally held by men who have departed to defend the country. The AP coverage highlights how DTEK and other industrial companies have adapted their workforce as the war continues to reshape Ukraine's labor landscape.
DTEK miners standing side by side inside an underground tunnel

Iryna’s journey into mining required significant training – one month of theoretical education followed by another month of hands-on practical experience before she could begin operating elevators that descend to depths of 260 meters below ground.

Viktor, the mine's head engineer, explained to AP that the lack of qualified personnel has become the primary challenge since russia's full-scale invasion.

"War is making changes, always making changes," he noted. The mine has hired over 100 women since the invasion began.

Viktor emphasised the critical importance of these new female employees, stating that without them, "the mine could not function."

To read the complete Associated Press article, please visit the AP website. Photo by AP.