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Lipstick and Kalashnikovs: Women in the Russian Armed Services

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Defender of the Fatherland Day, celebrated in Russia on February 23 each year, is generally a celebration for men,and is known unofficially as Men's Day... 23.02.2015, Sputnik International

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Lipstick and Kalashnikovs: Women in the Russian Armed Services

11:11 GMT 23.02.2015 (Updated: 19:03 GMT 23.02.2015)

Defender of the Fatherland Day, celebrated in Russia on February 23 each year, is generally a celebration for men,and is known unofficially as Men's Day. However, while military service in Russia is mandatory only for men, there are many women among the ranks of the country's defenders as well.

© AP Photo / Dmitry LovetskyDefender of the Fatherland Day, which is observed in Russia on February 23, is generally considered to be a celebration of men, known unofficially as the Men's Day.

Above: Russian Police academy female cadets march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in St Petersburg. May 7, 2014.

Lipstick and Kalshnikovs: Women in the Russian Armed Services - Sputnik International

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Defender of the Fatherland Day, which is observed in Russia on February 23, is generally considered to be a celebration of men, known unofficially as the Men's Day.

Above: Russian Police academy female cadets march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in St Petersburg. May 7, 2014.

© Sputnik / Alexey Malgavko / Go to the mediabankHowever, while military service in Russia is mandatory only for men, there are many women among the ranks of the country's defenders as well.

Above: Troops at a shooting range of the Airborne Forces Training Center 242 as female contract soldiers go through an intensive training program.

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However, while military service in Russia is mandatory only for men, there are many women among the ranks of the country's defenders as well.

Above: Troops at a shooting range of the Airborne Forces Training Center 242 as female contract soldiers go through an intensive training program.

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Russian Police academy female cadets march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in St Petersburg. May 7, 2014.

© Sputnik / Dmitry Korobeinikov / Go to the mediabankFemale soldiers and officers can be encountered among virtually all of the branches of the Russian Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies.

Above: Participant of the Russian all-army contest "Miss Military Beauty" during finals.

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Female soldiers and officers can be encountered among virtually all of the branches of the Russian Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies.

Above: Participant of the Russian all-army contest "Miss Military Beauty" during finals.

© Sputnik / Dmitry Astakhov / Go to the mediabankRussian President Vladimir Putin (C) and chief of the Federal Security Service department in the Southern Federal District, Colonel-General Nikolai Lisinsky (R), visiting the Yermolovka border station in the Southern Federal District.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) and chief of the Federal Security Service department in the Southern Federal District, Colonel-General Nikolai Lisinsky (R), visiting the Yermolovka border station in the Southern Federal District.

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Russian Police academy female cadets march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in St.Petersburg. April 18, 2011.

© AP Photo / Dmitry LovetskyWomen comprise about 10% of all of the Russian military personnel.

Above: Russian Police academy female cadets pose for photo at the famous Atlases at the State Hermitage museum in St.Petersburg.

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Women comprise about 10% of all of the Russian military personnel.

Above: Russian Police academy female cadets pose for photo at the famous Atlases at the State Hermitage museum in St.Petersburg.

© Sputnik / Dmitry Korobeinikov / Go to the mediabankOne of the 16 finalists of the Miss Shoulder-Straps beauty contest, which involved all military districts and branches the Russian Armed Forces. The contestants varied in rank from private to captain.

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One of the 16 finalists of the Miss Shoulder-Straps beauty contest, which involved all military districts and branches the Russian Armed Forces. The contestants varied in rank from private to captain.

© Sputnik / Dmitry Korobeinikov / Go to the mediabankThe majority of female soldiers and officers of the Russian military serve in the medical department (72%), as well as in the signal corps (8%) and in the financial service (4%).

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The majority of female soldiers and officers of the Russian military serve in the medical department (72%), as well as in the signal corps (8%) and in the financial service (4%).

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Participants in all-army contest "Miss Military Beauty" during finals.

© Sputnik / RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankDuring the WWII, many Soviet women joined the Red Army as volunteers, eager to fight alongside their men to protect the country.

Above: Female pilots, Heroes of the Soviet Union Natalia Kravtsova (Meklin) and Irina Serebrova (R), 46th Guards Aviation regiment.

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During the WWII, many Soviet women joined the Red Army as volunteers, eager to fight alongside their men to protect the country.

Above: Female pilots, Heroes of the Soviet Union Natalia Kravtsova (Meklin) and Irina Serebrova (R), 46th Guards Aviation regiment.