Ukrainian authorities have come under fire after the country's defense ministry released official pictures of female soldiers practicing for next month's military parade wearing heels instead of army boots.
(Photo:Facebook/Iryna Gerashchenko)
The photos, published on the ministry's Facebook page, show the female students of a military college, marching in uniform and black medium-heeled pumps.
Ukraine is preparing to stage a parade to commemorate 30 years of independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"Today, for the first time, training takes place in heeled shoes," cadet Ivanna Medvid was quoted as saying by the defense ministry's information site ArmiaInform.
"It is slightly harder than in army boots but we are trying," Medvid added.
Ukrainians denounce plan
The choice of footwear has triggered outrage across social media platforms and within parliament.
Iryna Gerashchenko, an opposition MP, called the decision an example of "sexism and misogyny."
"High heels is a mockery of women imposed by the beauty industry," she fumed.
Inna Sovsun, a member of the Golos party, said the heels posed health risks.
"It is hard to imagine a more idiotic, harmful idea," she said, adding that female soldiers in Ukraine, like men, were risking their lives and "do not deserve to be mocked."
Commentator Vitaly Portnikov said some Ukrainian officials had a "medieval" mindset.
"The story of a parade in heels is a real disgrace," she said on Facebook.
Deputy parliamentary speaker Olena Kondratyuk said over 13,500 women had fought in the Ukraine-Russia conflict where Russian separatists and Ukraine government troops are fighting in the eastern Donbass region.
More than 31,000 women currently serve in Ukraine's armed forces and more than 4,000 women are officers.