Bucha’s ‘Witches’: Ukraine’s all-female drone defense unit

Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. The town of Bucha, just outside Kyiv, bore witness to the brutality of Russia's initial occupation as the bodies of more than 450 men, women and children were found . The occupation highlighted Russia's severe tactics in the region.

In response, Bucha residents have been actively engaged in recovery efforts and are enhancing their defensive capabilities to safeguard their community amidst the ongoing conflict.

One notable initiative is the formation of an all-female air defense unit, known as the "Witches of Bucha." Comprised of women who lost family members during the occupation, they are training to shoot down drones with machine guns.

This first all-female anti-aircraft unit, which targets enemy drones such as the Shahed , uses the century-old Maxim M1910 machine gun, repurposing a classic weapon for modern warfare. Their training includes using a network of microphones to detect drones, followed by the deployment of mobile intervention groups to intercept the aerial threats.

The unit is part of a Ukrainian military volunteer formation and, while not an official military service, receives support from local authorities.

Women's participation in Ukraine's military has surged since the conflict escalated. In 2023, the Ministry of Defense reported nearly 43,000 women in service, a 40% increase from the previous year. Currently, about 65,000 women serve , with around 4,000 in combat roles, highlighting their growing contributions to national defense.

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