Social media users have been debating a claim that the European Union is demanding Ukraine mobilise women to fight against Russia's invasion. The allegations, which have circulated on X and Russian-language Telegram channels in recent weeks, are false, according to Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, a working body of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
The centre said the claim originated with Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), which alleged without evidence that Brussels is pressuring Kyiv to forcibly conscript women. The SVR also falsely claimed that the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called the move "a step in the right direction," the centre said.
There is no evidence that any EU politician has made such a demand, and no reputable news outlet has reported that Brussels is pressuring Kyiv to conscript women. Women can join Ukraine's defence forces voluntarily, but there are currently no plans to mobilise them compulsorily, nor is any legislation to that effect making its way through parliament.
Origins of the disinformation
The Center for Countering Disinformation previously reported that pro-Russian propagandists had spread a false claim that Western media had launched a campaign in support of mobilising Ukrainian women. According to the agency, the claim is based on an article published by The Telegraph about women's experiences serving in the army. However, the article only mentions mobilisation for women once, in the context of a drone operator's personal views.
The operator, named in the article as Katya, reportedly said that she found Israel's conscription of both sexes inspiring and that she would like to see the same implemented in Ukraine. The article itself does not advocate for that.
Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, has also rejected suggestions that the EU is demanding that Ukraine force women into the army. Speaking to journalists on 11 September following the first board meeting of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance, he said he had "no information" on any such measure.
"I would say it would be strange if Europe will try to convince Ukrainians how to make mobilisation, including mobilisation of women," Kubilius said. "I am not surprised that that comes from the Kremlin."
The question of women's conscription has nevertheless gained attention elsewhere in Europe. Denmark extended compulsory military service to women from July 2025, with the first women entering the system under the new rules in 2026 as part of a lottery-style system. It joins Norway and Sweden in having an active, universal conscription model.
In late 2025, the German government decided to introduce a voluntary model of military service for men, sparking a debate about the role of women in the armed forces too.
The disinformation campaign comes amid broader tensions over Russia's war in Ukraine. As Latvia's prime minister has noted, the EU is finally heeding Baltic warnings about Russia's intentions. Meanwhile, Poland and Ukraine have condemned a Russian strike on a train near the border as an escalation, and a drone strike near the Ukraine-Poland border crossing ignited a fuel depot fire. These incidents underscore the volatile security environment in which such disinformation thrives.
For now, the EU's position remains clear: it is not demanding that Ukraine conscript women. The Kremlin's attempts to sow confusion and division, however, are likely to continue.
