Olena Sharhovska, medical volunteer and journalist, dies

Olena Sharhovska, a veteran paramedic and former journalist who served in the Hospitallers medical battalion, has died. The announcement was made by Yana Zinkevych, the commander of the unit, alongside colleagues from the media outlet Novynarnia. Sharhovska was known for her dual background in communications and emergency medicine, serving on the front lines for several years before her death.

Her career in the media spanned multiple roles, including work as a translator, editor, and social media specialist. She contributed to both television and print publications before dedicating her professional life to healthcare. Her path to the front line began in 2015 when she first volunteered with the First Volunteer Mobile Hospital named after Mykola Pyrohov. She subsequently joined the Hospitallers, where she mastered tactical medicine and focused on evacuating wounded soldiers from the most intense combat zones.

Yana Zinkevych described Sharhovska’s work in specific terms, noting that she snatched lives from the jaws of death while transporting injured troops to stabilisation points. Sharhovska was also an active advocate for gender equality within the military. As a co-organiser of the Invisible Battalion March in Kyiv in 2016, she campaigned for women to be granted the same military positions that had previously been reserved for men.

When the full-scale invasion began, Sharhovska was living in Portugal. An injury delayed her return to Ukraine, so she supported the country as a volunteer from abroad. She officially joined the military on September 10, 2022, which was her birthday. As a member of the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, she was deployed to Bakhmut, Toretsk, and Kharkiv Oblast. In these roles, she performed medical evacuations and trained other service members in tactical medicine.

Beyond her clinical duties, Sharhovska was a member of the Women's Veteran Movement. She worked to ensure that female defenders received proper equipment and continued to support troops through fundraising efforts. Her service ended in August 2024 when she was discharged for health reasons. Novynarnia remembered her as a person deeply interested in travel and people, noting that she bought vehicles for the front and maintained her passion for words despite the hardships of war.

Her personal motto was to do what one believes needs to be done, and then accept whatever comes next. Bohdan Lohvynenko, founder of Ukraїner, also paid tribute to her. He recalled living in neighbouring buildings in Vynohradar and frequently discussing editorial matters in their kitchens. He described her as a driving force behind many projects and a significant source of support, while noting that she remained quite harsh towards the unknown.

Sharhovska’s death marks the end of a life defined by public service in both journalism and military medicine. Her colleagues and commanders have highlighted her dedication to both the craft of storytelling and the physical rescue of soldiers. Her advocacy for women in the military and her hands-on experience in tactical medicine left a distinct mark on the country's defence and media landscapes.