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A TikToker falsely suggesting in a video clip that Ukrainian women are not stepping up to fight for their country was slammed online for his statement.
TikToker @notpoliticalspeaking failed to mention any of the numerous headlines reporting on Ukrainian women staying to fight against Russian forces after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a broad attack on Ukraine on Thursday.
As tens of millions of Ukrainian lives were upended as Russian forces attacked the country from three sides–air, land and sea–many thought the TikToker shaming feminists in the midst of the overseas crisis was in poor taste.
On Saturday, @notpoliticalspeaking posted a video with a superimposed text that read:
“Facts #63: Once [again] all the men in Ukraine have to stay and fight. To protect the children, elderly and women leaving the country.”
“Where are all the Feminist [sic] at saying this is Unfair? It’s been real quiet lately.”
In 2018, Ukrainian women were officially allowed to serve in combat specialties and were legally ensured “equal rights” with their male counterparts.
On December 17, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense expanded registration for military conscription to women between ages 18 and 60 who were "fit for military service."
The TikToker was called out for his ignorance and misogyny.
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
@notpolitcalspeaking responded to the backlash and told the Daily Dot that he believes men are frequently called upon “when hard times come up in life.”
Despite all the negative reactions, he maintained “what matters is the truth.”
He referred to a Wall Street Journal article that reported on the 32,000 women enrolled in the Ukrainian military to argue that wasn't enough.
"Y’all keep saying 32,000 Women are Fighting in Ukraine," he wrote.
"Ukraine has 17milion Women of age. That’s only 0.00188% out of 17 million older [than] 18."
At the time of writing, women made up 15% of total personnel in the Ukrainian military. Since the attack, statistics for the overall number of women fighting off Russian forces have yet to be disclosed.
In the comments, people continued slamming the TikToker for using the Ukraine crisis to shame feminists.
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
@notpoliticalspeaking/TikTok
TikToker @notpoliticalspeaking
One example contradicting his misinformed generalization was a viral photograph posted by the New York Times depicting women waiting to enlist to take on the patriarchal autocrat Putin.
In the photo, an emotional woman named Julia–who is a teacher and Ukrainian volunteer–awaits deployment as she is surrounded by fellow women joining the cause and armed with weapons.
Yulia Mykytenko, 26, a combat veteran, told i News women make better soldiers than men. She further commented, in a military setting, women "have to be more professional, more reliable and harder working than men, just to be accepted as equals.”
Her sister-in-arms, Andriana Arekhta, agreed, adding:
“Female officers work better with civilians. We’re more balanced than men because we don’t hide our emotions. We make decisions quickly. We move like angels. We fly."