First Female Graduates Among 136 Cadets: 98% Aim for Officer Careers.

Class of 2026

According to Espreso.tv: In 2026, a military lyceum graduated 136 young individuals from 22 regions of Ukraine, marking the first time in the institution's history that female cadets successfully completed the full training program. During the commencement ceremony, 98% of graduates stated their intention to pursue further education at higher military academies.

Background and Significance of the Graduation

The event drew officials from national government, local authorities, military command, and the clergy. Distinguished attendees included:

• Hero of Ukraine, Colonel Volodymyr Sosnin
• Deputy Head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Kulepin
• Chief of Staff of the Lviv Regional Council Yaroslav Hasiak
• First Deputy Mayor of Lviv Andriy Moskalenko
• People's Deputy of Ukraine Mykola Kniazhytskyi
• Bishop of the Curia of the Kyiv-Halych Supreme Archbishopric Stepan Sus
• Head of the Parent Committee Yulia Horodechna

“When I look at young people in a country that is at war and continues to fight, I feel, first and foremost, pride that there will be someone to defend our nation.” — Mykola Kniazhytskyi

Yulia Horodechna also emphasized the milestone nature of this graduation, stating: “Today, we are not just sending off graduates into adulthood, but young individuals who have consciously chosen a path of service to Ukraine.” These remarks reflect the graduates' determination to actively contribute to the defense and progress of their country.

This year's graduation not only set a record for the number of cadets from diverse regions but also heralds a new era where female students are fully integrated into Ukraine's military education system.

The event represents a pivotal step in the evolution of military education in Ukraine, as it marks the first time female cadets have been allowed to complete the full lyceum curriculum. The growing number of young people seeking admission to higher military institutions signals an increased interest in army service among the youth. This trend could help shape a new generation of military professionals capable of effectively addressing modern security challenges in Ukraine.