Ukrainian combat medic Olena Sharhovska, who saved wounded soldiers since 2015, has died

Ukrainian journalist, translator, combat medic, and veteran Olena Sharhovska, known by her call sign “Jane,” has died. For more than nine years, she helped Ukrainian defenders, evacuated wounded soldiers from some of the most dangerous areas of the front line, and fought for equal rights for women in the military.

Her death was reported by UNITED24 Media. The news was also confirmed by Yana Zinkevych, commander of the Hospitallers Medical Battalion, and Sharhovska’s former colleagues at the Ukrainian news outlet Novynarnia.

Before her military service, Olena worked in the media industry as a journalist, editor, translator, and social media specialist. She contributed to several Ukrainian media and educational projects, including Ukraїner, Osvitoria, and Novynarnia.

In 2015, she began volunteering on the front line, helping save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. She initially served with the First Volunteer Mobile Hospital named after Mykola Pyrohov before joining the Hospitallers.

Sharhovska evacuated wounded troops from some of the fiercest combat zones, repeatedly risking her own life. At the same time, she actively advocated for equal opportunities for women in Ukraine’s Armed Forces and helped organize the Invisible Battalion March in 2016.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Sharhovska was in Portugal, recovering from an injury. Although she could not immediately return to Ukraine, she continued supporting the country through volunteer work.

On September 10, 2022, her birthday, Olena returned to military service. As a member of the International Legion of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, she served in the Bakhmut and Toretsk sectors, as well as in the Kharkiv region.

In addition to evacuating wounded soldiers, Jane trained Ukrainian troops in tactical medicine and helped provide female service members with essential equipment.

In August 2024, she was forced to leave military service due to health problems. Nevertheless, she continued supporting her fellow soldiers, organizing fundraising campaigns, and helping supply the front line.

Olena Sharhovska will be remembered as a woman who devoted much of her life to saving others and fighting for the rights of Ukrainian servicewomen.