#31: The 3rd Shock Army’s Female Snipers, 1st Belorussian Front, 1945

Over 2,000 female snipers served in the Russian military during the war, and they quickly gained a reputation for their deadly accuracy and fearless tactics. Ukrainian sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko, for example, is credited with 309 confirmed kills – a feat that earned her the nickname “Lady Death” and made her one of the most successful snipers in military history.

This photo of the 3rd Shock Army’s Female Snipers from the 1st Belorussian Front in 1945 showcases women’s important role in the Russian military during World War II. While many countries at the time dismissed women as incapable of serving on the front lines, Russia recognized the value women could bring to the battlefield.