The Women of Ukraine's Donbass
A female rebel stands on a truck as she gets ready to take position near the Sergei Prokofiev International Airport during fighting with Ukrainian government forces in the town of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Oct. 4, 2014.
Before fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine, Irina was a croupier in a casino who never dreamt of taking up arms. Now she is gambling with her life.
Using the nom de guerre "Gaika," a cartoon character that translates as Gadget, she has joined an artillery unit in a separatist group fighting government forces.
"When your home is being destroyed, everything that is dear to you, friends, work ... It's about character. Girls who go into combat are real Russian women," she said in an interview, explaining why she joined up.
It has proved a tough experience but she has no regrets.
Before fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine, Irina was a croupier in a casino who never dreamt of taking up arms. Now she is gambling with her life.
Using the nom de guerre "Gaika," a cartoon character that translates as Gadget, she has joined an artillery unit in a separatist group fighting government forces.
"When your home is being destroyed, everything that is dear to you, friends, work ... It's about character. Girls who go into combat are real Russian women," she said in an interview, explaining why she joined up.
It has proved a tough experience but she has no regrets.
Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters
Gaika, a former croupier turned rebel, poses in the town of Makievka, eastern Ukraine, Oct. 6, 2014.
Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters
A woman fighting on the side of rebels poses with her rifle in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Sept. 8, 2014.
Marko Djurica / Reuters
A woman fighting on the side of rebels poses with her rifle in the town of Nizhnaya Krinka, eastern Ukraine, Sept. 23, 2014.
Marko Djurica / Reuters
Alla, nicknamed Ryzhaya (the Red-haired), a rebel poses during an interview in the town of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Oct. 5, 2014.
Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters
Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters
The orange ribbon of St. George, a symbol widely associated with protests in Ukraine and Russian patriotism, is seen next to cosmetics belonging to a female rebel's cosmetics in the town of Makievka, eastern Ukraine, Oct. 6, 2014.
Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters
A Ukrainian servicewoman stands in Horlivka, Ukraine Sept. 18, 2014.
Like the men in the conflict, the women come from all walks of life. Some women come to serve with their husbands and boyfriends, others are single.
Female fighters on both sides said the men in their units treat them as equals, though sometimes showing more leniency. They have little respect for men who have not taken up arms.
Like the men in the conflict, the women come from all walks of life. Some women come to serve with their husbands and boyfriends, others are single.
Female fighters on both sides said the men in their units treat them as equals, though sometimes showing more leniency. They have little respect for men who have not taken up arms.
David Mdzinarishvili / Reuters
Ukrainian servicewoman Stella, 33, poses for a picture in the village of Schastye, near the eastern Ukrainian town of Luhansk, Sept. 26, 2014.
David Mdzinarishvili / Reuters
Ukrainian servicewoman Nadie, 36, poses at the military camp in the village of Luhansk, eastern Ukraine Sept. 24, 2014.
David Mdzinarishvili / Reuters