Journalist, Novynarnia contributor, army paramedic, and war veteran Olena Sharhovska, call sign “Jane”, has died. She helped save the wounded on the battlefield, trained servicemembers in tactical medicine, and fought for equal rights for women in the military, Novynarnia reports.
Olena had many years of experience working in media. She was a journalist, editor, translator, and social media manager for TV channels, print outlets, and the projects Ukraїner and Osvitoria.
In 2015, she joined volunteer work at the front: first helping the wounded as part of the Mykola Pyrohov Volunteer Mobile Hospital No. 1, and later the Hospitallers Medical Battalion.
In 2015–2016, Sharhovska campaigned for women’s equal right to military service along with other activists. She was one of the people behind the Invisible Battalion March, advocating for women’s visibility and rights in the army.
Olena was in Portugal when Russia’s full-scale invasion started. She was unable to go back to Ukraine immediately due to an injury, but continued to help the country as a volunteer.
On 10 September 2022, her birthday, Sharhovska enlisted in the International Legion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. She served in Bakhmut, then in Toretsk, and later in Kharkiv oblast. She carried out medical evacuations and trained her comrades in tactical medicine.
In August 2024, Olena had to leave the army for health reasons. She continued to support Ukrainian servicemembers. As part of the women’s veteran movement Veteranka, she advocated for servicewomen’s right to proper equipment, took part in charity fundraisers, and helped buy vehicles for the army.
