Russian air force to train female combat pilots

The Russian air force has announced plans to recruit its first female combat pilots since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defence minister, said in a statement that the first 15 female cadets would begin training at the Krasanodar aviation academy in October.

Female pilots famously flew in combat for the Red Army during the Second World War, but have not served in combat roles in the modern Russian military.