She was the first woman in Sheikh Mansur Battalion: Ukrainian drone operator Raiana killed in action

Raiana, a drone operator from the Sheikh Mansur Chechen Volunteer Battalion, has been killed in action.

Source: NGO League of Muslim Women of Ukraine; Seiran Arifov, head of the Alraid All-Ukrainian Association of Social Organisations

Details: Raiana will be buried in Odesa, where her family lives.

Raiana was a Muslim and attended a mosque in Kyiv. Olha Konoval, head of the foundation named after Hero of Ukraine Serhii Konoval, recalled how Raiana protected the mosque in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, until the very end and loved treating others to shurpa.

Quote from Olha: "She carried an enormous duffel bag on her back, bigger than herself, and was always ready to stand up to anyone. She was surprised when I told her that women's military uniforms come in small sizes, and then happily showed me the new clothes she had received. We were so happy back then!

She took over my room in Druzhkivka and told me it was only while I was away, but I didn't believe her. Then she would remind me to turn off the water because that boiler was always leaking.

We talked a lot about Christianity and Islam, and it was always about unconditional respect and a desire to learn and understand more. She never did teach me the basics of knife fighting, but I always teased her about it, because that woman knew how to find adventure.

For now, I just want you to know this: Ukraine has lost a fantastic woman and warrior. We have all lost her. Every one of us."

Details: Defender Murad Nasirov also expressed his condolences over Raiana's death.

The soldier wrote: "Her faith, courage and self-sacrifice will remain in our memory forever. She proved that love for God, honour, dignity and love for one's homeland have no ethnicity.

It is painful to lose our people. Especially those who gave the most precious thing – their own lives – so that others could live."

In civilian life, Raiana taught Thai boxing to children and adults and raised her son, the We Are Ukraine TV channel reported. However, in 2024, she decided to take drone piloting courses so that she could join the military.

She later became the only woman in the Sheikh Mansur Volunteer Battalion. In the military, Raiana was involved in destroying Russian equipment, particularly on the Donetsk front. She also ran the battalion's food supply headquarters.

Raiana admitted that she found life on the front line easier than life away from it.

"I know the enemy is here, and I can do something about it. There [away from the front line – ed.], I can't, but here I help in every way I can. I want my child to know no war and grow up in a free Ukraine [...]

I came here with the intention of fighting and defending my country. [My fellow soldiers] accept me as a sister they protect," Raiana said.

One of her fellow soldiers described Raiana in an interview with journalists as fair, honest, polite and fearless.

Previously: Earlier, 23-year-old senior combat medic Diana Horun from Lviv Oblast was killed in Donetsk Oblast.

Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.