Nataliia Hrabarchuk traded toys and children’s laughter for an Igla man-portable air defense system and the roar of combat launches. Ukraine’s West Air Command has shared the story of this brave defender of the skies.
The Soviet Igla man-portable air defense system remains a highly effective weapon in the Ukrainian arsenal against low-flying aircraft, such as Su-25, helicopters, and drones. Its infrared-guided missile can engage targets at ranges up to 5.2–6 kilometers and altitudes up to 3.5 kilometers.
Once a kindergarten teacher, now an anti-aircraft gunner, the soldier joined the military on the eve of Russia’s full-scale invasion despite strong opposition from her family.
Her very first combat launch, in November 2024, was a direct hit: she downed a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile.
Until 2021, Nataliia Hrabarchuk was a kindergarten teacher. But sensing the inevitability of a major war, she made the difficult decision to join an air defense missile unit just before the invasion, even though her entire family was against it.
She spent five months in intensive training at a military center, where she learned to operate various types of man-portable weapons and conducted hundreds of simulated launches on training systems.
Over 70,000 women are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a 20% increase from 2022. More than 5,500 female soldiers are now fighting Russian aggression directly on the front lines.
Then, in November 2024, during one of Russia’s massive missile-and-drone attacks, her moment came. While on combat duty, Nataliia Hrabarchuk destroyed an incoming Russian Kh-101 cruise missile using an Igla man-portable air-defense system.
“It was her first combat launch — and a perfect hit!” Air Command West proudly report.
Nataliia recalls that when the Russian missile appeared before her, she instantly set aside all emotion and nerves, focusing solely on the mission.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, has awarded Nataliia Hrabarchuk a commendation from the Ministry of Defense for her courage and successful completion of the combat task.
On the night of 26 May, Russia launched 439 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine, which is an absolute record. This comes as US President Donald Trump has been pushing for Kyiv-Moscow peace talks, allegedly to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia, meanwhile, has escalated its air attacks against Ukrainian cities, ignoring all calls for a ceasefire.