FPV drone operator Valeriia Stepanova (Demon) killed defending Ukraine. PHOTO
Servicewoman and FPV drone operator Valeriia Stepanova, call sign "Demon," was killed while carrying out a combat mission. She had previously spoken publicly about experiencing sexual violence during her military service.
Olena Oliinyk, head of the All-Ukrainian Integration Movement "VIR v Ukrainu," wrote about her death, which was also reported on the page of "She Stands," a project dedicated to Ukrainian servicewomen, Censor.NET reports.
What is known?
"Valeriia Stepanova, a servicewoman and FPV drone pilot, was killed by an enemy drone while carrying out a combat mission. She died a heroine, defending Ukraine and every one of us. Young, beautiful, a mother. Her children have been left without their mother. There are no words that could contain this pain," Olena Oliinyk wrote.
She also recalled Valeriia’s statement about harassment and violence during her service, which had previously been published on the "She Stands" page.
"Valeriia found the strength to speak publicly about what she had endured. She had the right to protection, to justice, to life. She should have returned to her children, hugged them, watched them grow. […] We will remember her courage, both in battle and in her decision not to remain silent. Her heroism and contribution to Ukraine’s defense deserve to be honored," Oliinyk added.
Statement by Valeria Stepanova
- In August, Valeriia said she had experienced harassment by members of the command. After Valeriia decided to speak out, she was transferred to another battalion. There, she said, she again experienced violence. The servicewoman later left her unit without authorization, citing fears for her safety.
The "She Stands" project called for an independent examination of the circumstances of her death and for the investigation into her allegations of violence to be completed.
"We are not claiming that these events are connected. But this matter requires an independent examination and clear answers. Likewise, the investigation into the violence reported by Valeriia must be completed. Her death must not become a reason to silence the matter or stop the search for the truth," the project stressed.
What is known about the case of Valeria Stepanova
- At the end of August 2026, Stepanova stated that she had served as a machine gunner in a fire team of a volunteer formation of a territorial community, but later signed a contract to serve as a drone operator in the 118th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. However, she said that after signing the contract, she was initially sent to a command and observation post, where she was on duty alongside fellow soldiers.
- Valeriia wrote that during her second duty shift, commanders were drinking alcohol and inviting soldiers, including Stepanova, to join them one at a time.
"They invite me into a room and offer me a drink. I refuse. I don’t drink! The response I get is, ‘Then we’ll force it down you.’ They turn off the light, close the room, hold me down and try to grope me. I try to break free and escape. I was just bloody lucky that they passed out. Later, I hear their version of that night: ‘She got wasted, we f###ed her, she’s a sl##.’ No matter how hard they tried, I did not drink a single drop of alcohol that night," the servicewoman wrote.
The soldier decided to speak out, after which she was transferred to another battalion. However, Valeriia said she later experienced physical violence again: she was beaten and choked.
After making her statement public, Valeriia reported receiving threats. She later published a response from the command of the 118th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade announcing the launch of an internal investigation. It subsequently emerged that Valeriia had joined the 432nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment.
