“The weapon is my husband”: Russian female soldiers talk about life in the war in Ukraine

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NATO estimated on Tuesday that 300,000 Russian soldiers have been wounded or killed in Ukraine. Because men are missing, Russian President Vladimir Putin (71) wants to send more women to the front. Not as doctors or cooks, but as snipers.

The Espanjola Battalion, part of the Redut mercenary group, is responsible for recruitment. Redut in turn reports to the Ministry of Defense and reports “Important Stories”. Espanjola offers every woman the “opportunity for self-realization, education and progress,” the Telegram said. And not only with the snipers, but also with stormtrooper formations, among other things.

According to the Russian research portal, in addition to cooks and doctors, there are now entire attack units at the front consisting exclusively of women. A journalist from ‘Important Stories’ contacted Espanjola’s Telegram channel and asked about the contract terms. She was told that the employment relationship had a duration of six months, with an option to extend. «You get 110,000 to 120,000 rubles a month. Depending on the combat zone, the payment is doubled,” was the response. That is between 1,000 and 1,170 francs per month.

In Russia that is a lot of money. In 2022, the average wage was the equivalent of 630 francs per month. In the event of death, the surviving relatives must receive compensation of 48,000 francs. Men receive the same amounts.

Women are recruited online

Another Redut battalion called Bors should also recruit women through social media and train them as snipers and drone pilots. “Women can do more than just cook soup and have children,” a Russian soldier told an “Important Stories” journalist in October.

The fighter Natalija talked about daily life at the front. She takes care of her comrades and obtains information using drones. And Julia is also a mercenary. “I’m a drone pilot, but I want to be a sniper. “That’s what I’m working on,” she says.

The two fight out of conviction for Russia. “It doesn’t bother anyone that I’m a woman,” says Natalija. The drone pilot says she has met commanders who said they didn’t want women in the unit. The officers claim they were just looking for a husband. Natalija can only shake her head at that. She holds her gun and says, “That’s my husband.” Her colleague agrees. “Yes, that’s my favorite.”

Putin is desperate for volunteers

You don’t need to have experience in fighting. If the women have never held a weapon in their hands, they are trained in Donetsk. The Espanjola is said to have already honored several heroines. For example, her Telegram channel honored a fighter named Grosa, who was recognized for her efforts in Bakhmut. In the video, the woman is handed a knife while her face is covered. As Major Stories report, in Ukraine there are even married couples fighting side by side.

Putin is trying by all means possible to prevent a second mobilization in Russia – because the first wave of mobilization led to uprisings in the country. The Kremlin boss does not want to risk dissatisfaction among the population so close to the presidential elections. That’s why he relies primarily on volunteer fighters – and lures them into war for a good reward.

Source: Blick