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Move over, Ghost of Kyiv, there’s a new folk hero of Ukraine’s defense.

Reports circulated this week of a female Ukrainian sniper known only by her callsign, “Charcoal,” and photos in which her face is obscured by a shemagh-style scarf, her weapon draped in camouflage netting.

The sniper’s photos were distributed by the Ukrainian armed forces on Facebook, which dubbed her a “hero of the modern war.”

The sniper joined the Ukrainian marines in 2017, hoping to impress her younger brother, who was also in the Ukrainian armed forces, according to the post.

She saw action against Kremlin-backed separatists in the eastern Donbas region, serving until the end of her contract early this year. When Russian forces invaded in February, she joined back up.

The Ukrainian armed forces did not provide any information regarding her combat successes against the invasion.


  A Ukrainian sniper dubbed “Charcoal” has gained national acclaim for suiting up against Russia’s invasion. Twitter / Anastasiia Lapatina A Ukrainian sniper dubbed “Charcoal” has gained national acclaim for suiting up against Russia’s invasion. Twitter / Anastasiia Lapatina

  Ukrainian sharpshooter “Charcoal” previously fought off against Russia-backed separatists. Twitter Ukrainian sharpshooter “Charcoal” previously fought off against Russia-backed separatists. Twitter

  Lyudmila Pavlichenko raked up 309 kills against the Germans during WWII. Sovfoto/UIG via Getty Images Lyudmila Pavlichenko raked up 309 kills against the Germans during WWII. Sovfoto/UIG via Getty Images

“Charcoal” is known for wearing a shemagh-style scarf and hiding in camouflage. Twitter / Anastasiia Lapatina
“Charcoal” is being compared to World War II sniper legend Pavlichenko. LADY DEATH: The Memoirs of Stalin's Sniper

“These are not people. The Nazis were not as vile as these orcs,” the sniper reportedly said of the Russians. “We will definitely win. Personally, I will stand to the last!”

“Charcoal” quickly became a darling of pro-Ukrainian social media, similar to reports of a mysterious fighter ace racking up Russian kills in the early days of the war. The high-flying exploits of the so-called Ghost of Kyiv proved difficult to verify and were likely false.

But if true, Charcoal joins a tradition of female Ukrainian sharpshooters.


  Pavlichenko seen on the lookout defending Sevastopol in the Soviet Union on June 6, 1942. Ozerksy/AFP via Getty Images Pavlichenko seen on the lookout defending Sevastopol in the Soviet Union on June 6, 1942. Ozerksy/AFP via Getty Images

  Lyudmila Pavlichenko was notoriously known as “Lady Death.” Ozerksy/AFP via Getty Images Lyudmila Pavlichenko was notoriously known as “Lady Death.” Ozerksy/AFP via Getty Images

Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a Ukrainian sniper in the Soviet Red Army, reportedly killed more than 300 Nazi soldiers during World War II. She was nicknamed “Lady Death” and was awarded the USSR’s highest honor in being named a Hero of the Soviet Union.

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