Lyudmila Pavlichenko

Soviet sniper during WWII with 309 confirmed kills, becoming a symbol of female military prowess.

Lyudmila Pavlichenko (1916–1974) was a Red Army sniper whose extraordinary skill during World War II shattered gender stereotypes in combat. Enlisting in 1941, she became one of history’s deadliest snipers, credited with 309 confirmed kills during the Siege of Odessa and Battle of Sevastopol. Her precision and bravery earned her the nickname Lady Death.

After being wounded in 1942, Pavlichenko toured the U.S. and Canada as a Soviet propaganda emissary, meeting President Franklin D. Roosevelt and speaking to crowds about gender equality in the military. Her speeches emphasized unity against fascism, famously stating, Gentlemen, I am 25 years old and have killed 309 fascists. Don’t you think you’ve been hiding behind my back long enough?

Post-war, she completed her education and became a historian. Pavlichenko’s legacy endures in films like Battle for Sevastopol (2015) and as a feminist icon in military history. Her story challenges traditional narratives of women’s roles in warfare.