FPV drone operator Valeria Stepanova, callsign "Demon", killed at the front

Death of a female soldier at the front

While carrying out a combat mission on the front line, servicewoman and FPV drone operator Valeria Stepanova, known by the callsign "Demon", was killed. Her death resulted from a strike by an enemy unmanned aerial vehicle.

At the time of her death, Stepanova was serving in the 432nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment. The tragedy was reported by Olena Oliinyk, head of the All-Ukrainian Integration Movement VIR in Ukraine, and the women's military project "She Stands".

«Загинула як Героїня, захищаючи Україну й кожного з нас. Молода, красива, мама. Її діти залишилися без мами. Немає слів, які б могли вмістити цей біль» (She died as a Heroine, defending Ukraine and each of us. Young, beautiful, a mother. Her children are left without a mother. There are no words that could contain this pain), the authors of the "She Stands" project stated.

Demands for an investigation

Olena Oliinyk emphasised the need for an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Valeria's death. In her words, it is important to establish all the details of the death and verify whether the servicewoman's previous appeals were properly considered and whether measures were taken to protect her.

«Її діти та рідні мають право знати правду. А ми маємо обов’язок не забути її голос. Сподіваємося, нас почують» (Her children and relatives have the right to know the truth. And we have a duty not to forget her voice. We hope we will be heard), Oliinyk stressed.

At the same time, she noted that she does not claim there is a direct link between Stepanova's previous statements and her death. That is why, in Oliinyk's opinion, the circumstances of the death require independent verification and clear answers.

The "She Stands" project also emphasised that Valeria's death should not become a reason to stop the investigation into her previously disclosed statements about violence. The investigation of the facts presented must be taken to the end, and those responsible must be punished.

Service history and public statements

Previously, Valeria Stepanova publicly spoke about sexual violence and harassment she experienced while serving in another unit – the 118th Separate Territorial Defence Brigade. In August 2026, she disclosed this information on Instagram and later shared her experience on Threads.

Initially, Stepanova held the position of machine gunner in the DFTG fire group, but later signed a contract for the position of drone operator. After signing the contract, she was first sent to a command and observation post, where she served on duty with her comrades.

According to the servicewoman, during one of the duties, representatives of the command were drinking alcohol and tried to force her to drink. After refusing, she was locked in a room, held, and they tried to touch her. Later, she claimed, in another battalion she again suffered physical violence – she was beaten and strangled.

Subsequently, Valeria left the military unit without permission, explaining this by the fact that she was not allowed to transfer to the chosen unit. After publishing her statement, Stepanova reported threats, and later published the response from the command of the 118th Brigade regarding the start of an internal investigation. The servicewoman also noted that attempts were made to use her story in Russian information-psychological operations.

Later, Stepanova clarified that her accusations concerned two different battalions, and her mention of the brigade was used as a generalisation. She also reported that the threats had stopped. Subsequently, Valeria joined the 432nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment, where she served until her death.

Olena Oliinyk said that Valeria liked serving in the new unit and dreamed of becoming a professional FPV pilot.

«Валерія знайшла в собі сили говорити про пережите публічно. Вона мала право на захист, на справедливість, на життя. Мала повернутися до дітей, обіймати їх, бачити, як вони ростуть. Ми пам’ятатимемо її сміливість – і в бою, і в рішенні не мовчати. Її подвиг і внесок у захист України заслуговують на шану» (Valeria found the strength to speak publicly about what she experienced. She had the right to protection, to justice, to life. She was supposed to return to her children, hug them, see them grow up. We will remember her courage – both in battle and in the decision not to remain silent. Her heroism and contribution to the defence of Ukraine deserve respect), Olena Oliinyk wrote.