Savchenko Nadiia
Servicewoman, politician
Nadiya Viktorivna Savchenko was born on May 11, 1981 in Kyiv. She initially trained as a designer and studied Ukrainian language and literature. Following her childhood dream, she joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where she served as a radio operator. She later served in the 95th Airmobile Brigade. Savchenko became one of the first women to graduate from the Kharkiv Air Force University, graduating as a navigator-operator of the Mi-24 helicopter. Her military service included a peacekeeping mission in Iraq in 2004–2005. During the conflict in Donbas in 2014, she volunteered to join the Aidar battalion, after which she was captured and illegally held in Russia. While Savchenko was in captivity, she was elected a People's Deputy in Ukraine and awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine in 2015. Nadiya Savchenko was released in a prisoner exchange in 2016. After the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, she returned to active military service, including commanding a company in the Territorial Defense Forces.
2004
Participated in a peacekeeping mission in Iraq as part of the Ukrainian contingent
2005
Obtained permission to study at the Kharkiv Air Force University, which was previously open only to men
2009
Graduated from the Kharkiv Air Force University, becoming a navigator-operator of the Mi-24 helicopter
2011
Became the heroine of a documentary film by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a UN development project dedicated to equality in the military
2013
During the Revolution of Dignity, called on demonstrators to refrain from violence
2014
Joined the volunteer battalion "Aidar" to participate in hostilities in eastern Ukraine. In the same year, she was captured by the Russians
2014
Was elected as a People's Deputy of Ukraine of the 8th convocation, while in Russian captivity
2015
Was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine by President Petro Poroshenko for courage
2016
Was released from Russian captivity as part of a prisoner exchange and returned to Ukraine
2022
Returned to the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine after the start of a full-scale invasion
2026
Received the rank of Major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
