PRIDE ON THE FRONT LINES: My Conversation with Transgender Soldier Oksana Surchok On Her Decision to Join the War
The LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine proves that a "woke" military is a strong one, and that its victory in the only option to protect world democracy and acceptance...
The battle for liberty in Ukraine rages on. The small, but historic nation, continues to shock Putin and the world with its show of unity, defiance, resilience, and strength.
Bringing Ukrainians together in the fight to be free of Russian tyranny, including LGBTQ+ soldiers like Oksana Surchok who left the law office for the battlefield.
A proud transgender woman, the medical attorney is not only a soldier for her community but her country.
Our communications were briefly interrupted after a missile attack on Saturday, which injured civilians, and damaged electrical infrastructure and cell towers where Surchok’s unit was located.
I’m grateful she took the time to share her story and experiences with me.
“I am now at the forefront of the free world,” she said.
Oksana one year before the invasion, Feb. 2022. (Photo courtesy of Oxana Med on Twitter)
“In 1991, my country chose to join it by declaring its independence. We value our freedom very much and are fighting for it – and the victory will be ours.”
“On February 24, 2022, I woke up to the sound of explosions. I realized that the war had started,” Oksana said. “The decision to join the service was made instantly.”
“The enemy was trampling my land. He was killing my people. If I had not stood up to defend my values, I would have simply lost respect for myself. Besides, many of my ancestors were in the military. Almost every generation took part in wars. To run away? Not to take up arms? To betray their memory – to lose their dignity.”
“Do you know what the most difficult step is?” Surchok asked. “The first one.”
“It was very scary. I realized that the enemy is numerous and cunning. He knows no pity, that the person I love may not see me. Never. But I knew another thing – if I didn’t take this step, the Russians would kill us.”
Surchok on the battlefield. (Photo courtesy of Oxana Med on Twitter)
Born in the Donetsk region, currently occupied by Russian forces, Surchok is no stranger to the aggressions and resentment of President Putin over Ukraine’s exit from the USSR nearly 32 years ago.
“For this, it was punished by Russia,” Surchok said.
A member of the Ukrainian Defense Forces unit, the civil litigator has extensive combat experience stemming from her time guerilla fighting behind enemy lines in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR), in 2014.
Today, Surchok is expertly trained in machine guns and automatic grenade launchers used to “destroy enemy equipment, engineering structures, and manpower.”
(Photo courtesy of Oxana Med on Twitter)
The Ukrainian Defense Forces unit was recognized for its courage and resilience by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Successfully holding the city of Mayorsk, which prevented the Russian army from advancing to Torensk, helped earn Surchok and her fellow soldiers a promotion to brigade status.
Assigned to flank Bakhmut’s defense, the Ukrainian Defense Forces previously fought - and survived - bloody battles near Zairseve and Lysychansk.
Oksana’s extensive military knowledge is certainly impressive, but her efforts to talk to new troops, and get an understanding of which command would suit them best.
Veterans like herself are instrumental in providing the training needed to new recruits who learn how to dig trenches, engage and use military-grade weapons.
When not launching grenades, the proud Ukrainian assists the technical team with checking and repairing weapons, keeps records on ammunition, provides tourniquets to injured soldiers, and gets them to a safety zone.
Knowing what I know about Surchok’s background, taking a position of leadership and support for those less experienced is nothing new.
During Oksana’s journey to transition she worked to improve the lives and visibility of Ukraine’s transgender community.
“In the period between the wars, I created a patient organization for transgender people, initiated and actively participated in the development of new standards of medical care for transgender people, which greatly simplified the procedure for gender recognition in Ukraine.”
(Photo courtesy of Oksana Med on Twitter)
After finally saving enough to have reassignment surgery in March 2022, Oksana would have to again delay her dream to, once again, take up arms for her country.
Vladimir Putin has been vocal about how he feels about the LGBTQ+ community, espousing similar rhetoric to Adolf Hitler who persecuted the marginalized class during the Holocaust.
“We do not fit into their framework of ‘traditional values,” Surchok said, “and because we are Ukrainians.”
April 2021. (Photo courtesy of Oxana Med on Twitter)
Being in an active war zone, I was surprised to hear that Surchok keeps tabs on the anti-transgender climate in the United States. Telling me that she follows the news, ideologies, and legislation put forth by Republican-controlled states and the religious right.
“This requires mobilization of the transgender community and mobilization of resources of the communities allies. Let our war serve as an example that a minority can fight for its freedom and rights and defeat the majority.”
“It’s not about transgender, but who you are as a person,” Captain Ilko Bozhko said in support of his soldiers.
Prior to joining the war, Oksana lived in Kyiv with her partner of 10 years. Unfortunately, her health has prevented her from joining the front-line battle.
Oksana and her partner. (Photo courtesy of Oxana Med on Twitter)
While being transgender is a significant, and important, part of Surchok’s journey – it by no means defines who this brave and courageous woman is as a dedicated soldier and loyal citizen of Ukraine.
Despite everything, Oksana continues to have an optimistic view of the world. A peaceful, tolerant, and democratic one. Refusing to let her dream be diminished, she acknowledges we’re going to have to work together to make that happen.
“After the war, we will still have a difficult path,” she told me. “The path of recovery and the path of modernization of our democratic institutions.”
“I hope that the people of the free world will help us on that path,” Surchok added.
*I would like to thank my dear friend Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, a foreign war correspondent based in Kharkiv, without whom this interview wouldn’t have been possible. Sarah is not only an amazing representative of the transgender community but America as a whole*
As an independent author and journalist, I rely on your generosity to continue sharing my voice. If you like my work, consider subscribing, gifting, or making a one-time donation on Cash App or Venmo. Finding my voice after years of uncertainty motivated me to share my journey back to self in my 2018 book The Power of Perspective: Gaining Clarity, Purpose, and Truth Through Affirmation and its sequel, The Consequence of Choice: How Every Decision You Make Shapes Your Destiny. Both are available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.