AFU veteran had her breasts amputated due to damage from male bulletproof vest: the first documented connection of disease with service

Natalia Lischyshena became the first woman in Ukraine to document that wearing a standard male bulletproof vest during service caused serious health problems. As a result of three operations, her mammary glands were completely removed, and the military medical commission recognized that the disease was related to the performance of duties in the army.

This is reported by Censor.net.

Since 2021, Natalia has served in the 80th separate airborne assault brigade. During the full-scale invasion, Natalia's service took place between the first and second lines of defense in the Mykolaiv Region. She was engaged in providing soldiers, logistics and performing other tasks.

The veteran notes that many women served in her brigade. According to her, there have been some positive changes in gender policy in the army, but problems remain.

"A banal female uniform did not exist until 2023-2024. Thanks to the Arm Women Now project, a female uniform was developed and achieved its implementation at the level of the Ministry of Defense. However, statutory bulletproof vests for women, tailored to our anatomical features, still do not exist. I know that they are currently at the testing stage, but how many years have passed. And there are already 70,000 women in the army," the veteran emphasizes.

According to her, a standard bulletproof vest weighs 18 kg and exerts strong pressure on the body. In front-line positions, servicemen must wear it constantly, which creates a health risk. Natalia recalls that doctors reported that only one in ten women who undergo an examination does not have problems with the mammary glands.

In 2024, Natalia was admitted to the pulmonology department. After examination, the military medical commission discovered Mintz's disease - intraductal papilloma of the breast, which is asymptomatic.

She underwent three operations, after the third - complete removal of the mammary glands. Because of this, Natalia is now limited in physical activity: she cannot raise her arms high, carry heavy objects and be in the sun for a long time.

At first, they did not want to issue a disability certificate to Natalia. Only later did she receive a third group of disability, although initially the documents indicated an incorrect diagnosis. When she applied for a change of group after complete removal of the mammary glands, one of the doctors of the commission stated that the operation was allegedly "at her own whim".

After a re-examination, the doctor was excluded from the commission, and Natalia was assigned a second group of disability for life. Her military medical commission recorded that the disease was associated with service and wearing a bulletproof vest.

Recall that in 2023, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced the completion of the certification process of the first bulletproof vest intended for female military personnel.

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