ZUMA Press zReportage

zReportage - Amazing Stories from Around the World

| about | 15:51 PST

⊼

HIDE CAPTION

Published: TUESDAY September 16, 2025: 'Drone War 'HARPIES'' by ZUMA Press photographer in Ukraine Jana Cavojska: Harpies were terrifying, bird-woman hybrid creatures from ancient Greek and Roman mythology. Today Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Unit are recruiting for their Harpies Women's Drone Unit to help fight with unmanned attack aircraft in the war with Russia. The Harpies, a community of women, will operate drones and robotic units, while men are still part of the cadre, only female drone pilots can deliver the final strike. Harpies recruits undergo 45 days of general training and more than 30 days of specialized training, before launching combat missions. Approximately 70,000 women are serving in the Ukrainian army, a 20 percent increase from 2022. The embattled country has ramped up domestic production and procurement of drones, with plans to acquire around 4.5 million FPV drones this year to deploy against Russian forces. Welcome to 'Drone War 'HARPIES'
© zReportage.com Issue #1005 Story of the Week: Published: TUESDAY September 16, 2025: 'Drone War 'HARPIES'' by ZUMA Press photographer in Ukraine Jana Cavojska: Harpies were terrifying, bird-woman hybrid creatures from ancient Greek and Roman mythology. Today Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Unit are recruiting for their Harpies Women's Drone Unit to help fight with unmanned attack aircraft in the war with Russia. The Harpies, a community of women, will operate drones and robotic units, while men are still part of the cadre, only female drone pilots can deliver the final strike. Harpies recruits undergo 45 days of general training and more than 30 days of specialized training, before launching combat missions. Approximately 70,000 women are serving in the Ukrainian army, a 20 percent increase from 2022. The embattled country has ramped up domestic production and procurement of drones, with plans to acquire around 4.5 million FPV drones this year to deploy against Russian forces. Welcome to 'Drone War 'HARPIES'

Jana Cavojska

Jana Cavojska is a reporter, photographer and video journalist. She has traveled to dozens of countries with her camera for work. She wrote the books 'Danube A river of stories' and 'Humans and '30 faces of a better Slovakia.' She covers people living in conflict areas, countries with complicated international status or regions affected by crisis or disaster. Through her revealing work she tries to bring help to people from her stories in Ukraine. Jana's images are available via ZUMA Press.:1005

See more archive?

About • Advertise • Photojournalists • Contact • Copyright Notice • Join • Privacy Policy
KONA Gallery • DoubleTruck Magazine • Pictures of The Day • Pictures of The Month • Pictures of The Week • Pictures of The Year • ZUMA