Viktoria Honcharuk

For those who are not familiar with your story yet – could you please introduce yourself?

‍Viktoriia: My name is Viktoriia, I was born and raised in Ukraine. At the age of 15 I moved to the US, studied Data Science at a university in California. During my studies also lived in several countries - South Korea, India, the UK. After graduation, I accepted a job at Investment Department at Morgan Stanley in NYC. In 2022, when the war started, I left my job and went back to Ukraine to work on the frontline as a combat medic.

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From investment banking to the frontline – how long did it take from the first thought

‍Viktoriia: The moment Russia attacked my country I wanted to go back. My family convinced me to help fundraising in the US at first but after my 2nd trip to Ukraine during 2022, I realized I cannot stand behind and have to be at the frontlines. Nothing I had done to that point of my life mattered as much as defending my values and my home.

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We see a lot of innovation on the battlefield itself. What about the combat and paramedical sphere?

‍Viktoriia: There are a lot of innovations happening in all fields of battlefield. When it comes to combat medicine, the most innovation comes within logistical and operational availability of the medical resources in dangerous zone.

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Your presence at events, hackathons and summits in Europe and the US is often the first face-to-face encounter with a the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Do you see a change in people’s reactions to you?

‍Viktoriia: At first, people are surprised. They often expect a bulky, bearded man in uniform — not a woman who can speak their language, navigate both tech and policy, and also happens to be a combat medic. That contrast breaks stereotypes immediately. The most common reaction is: “I didn’t expect someone like you to be a soldier.” But that surprise usually turns into curiosity, and then real conversation.

Over time, reactions have evolved from curiosity to respect — and sometimes even urgency. People begin to see Ukraine not as a distant conflict, but as a hub of resilience and innovation. Our presence puts a human face on the headlines. And it helps others realize that Ukraine isn’t just asking for help — we’re bringing real, hard-earned battlefield insight to the table.

Thank you, Viktoriia!