Ukrainian Women Volunteers Train to Shoot Down Russian Drones in Bucha

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In Bucha, a suburb northwest of Kyiv, nearly 100 women have volunteered to defend their community by joining air defense units tasked with shooting down Russian drones. These women, aged 19 to 64, are part of an ongoing effort to protect against aerial attacks targeting Kyiv, following the path Russian forces took during the early stages of the invasion.

Since April 2022, the volunteers, sometimes referred to as the “Bucha witches,” have been training to use assault rifles and machine guns to intercept drones. Their goal is to defend their homes from frequent drone attacks, which pose a significant threat to the region. Russian drones, such as the Iranian-made Shahed and the modified Geran, are often used in swarm attacks and can be difficult to neutralize despite being relatively easy to spot.

Valentyna, a 51-year-old mother of three, is one of the volunteers who joined the air defense group. She and her fellow trainees practice regularly, learning the skills required to take down these aerial threats. The training not only includes weapons handling but also tactics for shooting and coordinating movements in small groups. For many of the women, participating in the defense effort provides a sense of purpose and resilience following the traumatic events that occurred during the occupation of Bucha.

The training takes place at a location known as "Mordor," where military instructors guide the volunteers through the drills. They are trained to recognize drone flight patterns and coordinate their efforts to increase the chances of successfully targeting and shooting down drones. Each drone, some carrying up to 50kg of explosives, is equipped with GPS trackers and streams live video to its operators, making it a critical threat to the safety of civilians.

Weeks of rigorous physical and military training are required before the women can fully integrate into the air defense unit. For many, this is their first experience handling firearms. Valentyna, like others, acknowledged the physical challenges but emphasized the importance of perseverance. For Kateryna, an art gallery owner from Kyiv, the training initially seemed daunting, but she quickly realized its value in contributing to the community’s safety.

Natalya, another volunteer, fled Bucha with her family during the initial invasion and now sees this training as a way to actively participate in the defense effort alongside her husband and son. The volunteers view their involvement as essential to helping protect their homes and supporting Ukraine’s broader defense efforts.

As Russian drone tactics evolve, these volunteers are adapting to meet new challenges, playing a vital role in Ukraine’s ongoing air defense strategy. Their participation highlights the resilience of the local population and their commitment to safeguarding their community.