Putin releases newly qualified female pilots for the first time since WWII

Vladimir Putin's 'Night Witches' have graduated and are ready to go to war in Ukraine, with Joseph Stalin the latest Russian leader to authorize female pilots in World War II

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Russia: Graduated Women Military Pilots

Vladimir Putin releases newly graduated female military pilots into the Russian Air Force for the first time since World War II.

His "night witches" - seen in pictures and video - graduated during the war against Ukraine.

Joseph Stalin allowed women to fly in WWII - and 23 became Heroes of the USSR - but after hostilities ended they were grounded.

The newly mobilized women were seen passing out over the weekend in Krasnodar - a region bordering Ukraine - after graduating from Serov Higher Military Aviation School.

They are trained for strategic nuclear fighters and bombers, as well as transport aircraft.

The first female graduates of the Russian Military Aviation Academy in Krasnodar since World War II photographed during their 5 years of study (

Picture:

MoD Russia)

Putin's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said female pilots were "gloriously" carrying on a tradition.

"You are a reference and an example for the girls who will follow you", he said.

Only 15 out of hundreds were selected for training amid sexist backlash.