High-heeled scandal at the Department of Defense

Background:

• 06/01/2021 "Army Inform" reported that on 08/24/2021 at the military parade dedicated to the Independence Day it will be represented by cadets of the Military Institute of Kiev National University, whereas last time, in 2018, it was a mixed "box" of girls from the Military Institute of Telecommunications and informatization named after Heroes Krut and cadets "Shevchenko".
• On June 25, 2021, a group of people's deputies was outraged by this approach and demanded explanations and apologies from Defense Minister Andrei Taran.
• On July 1, 2021, the Ministry of Defense released a photo from the rehearsal of the parade for the 30th anniversary of Independence Day, where women soldiers were shod in high-heeled shoes.
• 07/02/2021 During the hour of questions to the government, Defense Minister Andrei Taran was present in the Verkhovna Rada, who was handed him several pairs of shoes.
• 07/02/2021 The Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that they had paid attention to the criticism and started checking.

A wave of social media outrage

Users on social networks did not disregard the photo and criticized the leadership of the troops for such an initiative.

Many people demand that in this case the military men and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak walk in heels.

Comments from users of social networks:

"Why are heels in the army? This is blatant sadism, sexism and double standards";

Poor Girls;

"It would be logical if they show a photo of a man's" box "with the same heels."

The reaction of the people's deputies

The second vice-speaker Olena Kondratyuk made a statement from the rostrum of the Rada, in which she demanded that Andrei Taran cancel the procession of military women in high-heeled shoes.

We respect and talked a lot about respect for the Ukrainian army. And we know and understand that the Armed Forces must treat women soldiers with respect,

Razumkov reacted to the heels

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmitry Razumkov is convinced that footwear for female military personnel should be comfortable.

 “I’m okay when girls wear heels, but if we’re talking about the army, if we’re talking about a parade, I think we have a form, both from the point of view of logic and from the point of view of convenience.”

Note! The Ministry of Defense reported that the shoes cost 650 hryvnia. The department noted that the information that the price of one pair is UAH 6,500 is not true.

What they say in the Ministry of Defense

The Ministry of Defense responded to the reproaches, noting that the uniform with heels is a ceremonial uniform and is provided for by the corresponding order. And this form is not only in Ukraine, but also in other states.

The department noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have room not only for camouflage and ankle boots. A festive - full dress is provided. It is in it that the military will march on Independence Day.

This year, on the Independence Day of Ukraine, servicemen-women in full dress uniform will go. Beautiful and strong

Military women will have their shoes replaced

Viktoria Arnautova, Adviser to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on gender issues, said on the air of Channel 24 that women-soldiers will have their shoes replaced.

The dress shoe, according to the documentation, will be 5.4 centimeters (plus or minus 2 millimeters) heel height.

For half a year, the so-called "research wearing" of shoes took place. Girls from the institute wore it and submitted their proposals for changes, inconveniences.

What was shown yesterday (July 1 - Channel 24) in the article are ordinary shoes, they have a heel of 7 centimeters, according to the relevant documentation,

- noted Arnautova.