An unlikely group of fighters is on the frontline of Ukraine’s war effort against Russia. They’re called the Witches of Bucha – a group of volunteers, many of them suburban mothers, defending Ukrainian skies from drones. Their training is tough, and the stakes are high. For some, it’s a way to channel their rage. For others, it’s nerve-wracking but necessary work.

This week on Now You Know, we speak with a member of the unit about the risks these women face, why she chose this path, and what it means to her to be able to serve her country in this way.

In this episode:

Liudmyla Lysenko | Witches of Bucha Combat Unit

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson. 

Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement.

Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan. 

Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

​​Kateryna Malofieieva was our Ukraine producer.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

An unlikely group of fighters is on the frontline of Ukraine&rsquo;s war effort against Russia.&nbsp;They&rsquo;re called the Witches of Bucha &ndash; a group of volunteers, many of them suburban mothers, defending Ukrainian skies from drones. Their training is tough, and the stakes are high. For some, it&rsquo;s a way to channel their rage. For others, it&rsquo;s nerve-wracking but necessary work.
This week on Now You Know, we speak with a member of the unit about the risks these women face, why she chose this path, and what it means to her to be able to serve her country in this way.
In this episode:
Liudmyla Lysenko | Witches of Bucha Combat Unit
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.&nbsp;
Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement.
Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.&nbsp;
Jo de Frias is Now You Know&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio. ​​Kateryna Malofieieva was our Ukraine producer.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on <a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram, </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.threads.net/@ajepodcasts">Threads</a> and <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTxNCl3jdgd7ZAcZkBrQdRH0&amp;si=ASC-iSWKpqZVpnmn">YouTube</a>

Now You Know is a series from Al Jazeera Podcasts dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, stories, and, at times, some pretty uncomfortable topics. This is a safe space where we go all in so that by the end of each episode, you can say, Now I know. 
We dive into topics ranging from women in film, finance, sport, health, and career ambition. We talk to women who keep the ladder down so that the girls who follow in their footsteps can climb up.

Now You Know is conversation-driven. Host Samantha Johnson meets people from around the world who share their experiences so that others can learn to keep themselves healthy or be inspired to achieve their own goals.

 

Now You Know is a series from Al Jazeera Podcasts dedicated to amplifying women&rsquo;s voices, stories, and, at times, some pretty uncomfortable topics. This is a safe space where we go all in so that by the end of each episode, you can say, Now I know.&nbsp; We dive into topics ranging from women in film, finance, sport, health, and career ambition. We talk to women who keep the ladder down so that the girls who follow in their footsteps can climb up.
Now You Know is conversation-driven. Host Samantha Johnson meets people from around the world who share their experiences so that others can learn to keep themselves healthy or be inspired to achieve their own goals.
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