The battles are still ongoing in eastern Ukraine despite a declared cease-fire, and women have been taking up arms and joining the fight. CCTV America’s Kate Parkinson reports.

There were more women fighting on the front line as the battle raged. Valeria, for example, is just 19 years old. She joined the rebel ranks in August and is now a sniper with a rebel militia group called Oplot. Valeria has been on combat missions, but as a fairly new recruit she hasn’t had her first real taste of war.

However, not everyone is happy to have women on the front lines. “In principle, I am strongly against women serving in the forces,” said one deputy commander. “But because not all men can find the courage in themselves to stand up and protect their homeland we have to accept women in our ranks.”

Valeria’s father, a rebel fighter himself, was also not happy to see his only daughter take up arms. He said that while he is proud of his daughter, he’s also afraid.

Valeria said she knows the risks, but like other women who’ve taken up arms in eastern Ukraine, she said it’s a battle worth fighting.