'It's scary - so's giving birth': The female unit in Ukraine gunning down Russian drones | BBC News

The Witches of Bucha, as they call themselves, are a volunteer air defence unit made up almost entirely of women.

The unit is helping to protect Ukraine’s skies as more and more men are sent to the frontlines.

There are more drones to shoot down, too, often launched from Russia in waves to overwhelm the main defences ahead of a missile strike.

The night-time shifts allow the women to combine their work defending their country with day jobs as teachers, doctors - there’s even a manicurist.

Many say it’s a way of overcoming the powerlessness they felt when Russian forces occupied Bucha region at the start of the full-scale invasion.

#BBCNews

[billhartig]

Using two seemingly confused young women and an old woman in your propagandistic thumbnail was a choice.

[AstuteRealm]

Media attention and stories are one thing. Reality on the ground is another

[Ashchinn]

Ukraine is winning on BBC and online 😂

[pakjai]

You can tell these women have no experience. Holding a rifle does not look natural to them. I agree, Ukraine is out of male soldiers, so they start promoting women soldiers as well.

[tabularasa]

That thumbnail is comical, looks like a carry on movie 😂

[iceman]

This is so fake it could pass as parody.

Behold meal team six.

[reecom]

During WW2 women volunteered in the war effort in non-fighting jobs like driving ambulances to rescue the victims during the blitz. Driving their ambulances before the bombs stopped and being next to the firefighters fighting the fires and pulling out the survivors.

[Censortubes]

They don’t even have the gear on correct. They aren’t doing a thing but doing a photo op.

[jmantime]

Those machine guns are PM Maxim M1910's they are over 100 years old from WW1.

[tobiaszacarias]

Before the conflict stated some women were shown training on how to stop the impending Russian invasion. Where are those beautiful ladies?

[md.shahadathossain]

😂😂😂....even with this you have to spread propaganda... They don't even know how to hold the gun

[muhacnt]

The ghost of kiev now witches of bucha lmao

[reecom]

The military training for the Ukrainian women is like the Brits did in WW2 for the home guard made up of men unfit for combat, it was just some basic training as the last resort for them to fight a last stand protecting their homes.

[Danishgooner]

How about you talk about people being burned alive in GAZA.

[thiefsleef]

The sad thing is that their life expectancy will probably be a couple of weeks. Stop this war

[JamesBarry-lclj]

Bro this is funny asf😂😂 that woman looks so out of shape😂

[fintanduffyable]

Germany did this too its a sign of the end, next thing they will be sending in kids and grandparents

[menya]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.... but I guess the men are running out!

[Granga]

They sound just like the Palestinians both fighting for their homes under occupation 😢

[Mr_Huss]

So it's

Ghost of Kyiv
Ghost of Mariupol
captain Himars
Drone Hunters
Vampire drone
The witches of Bucha


cringe names, makes no difference.