A pro-Russian rebel poses during an interview in the town of Donetsk
Alla, nicknamed Ryzhaya (the Red-haired), a pro-Russian rebel poses during an interview in the town of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, October 5, 2014. Before fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine, Irina was a croupier in a casino who never dreamt of taking up arms. Now she is gambling with her life. Using the nom de guerre "Gaika", a cartoon character that translates as Gadget, she has joined an artillery unit in a pro-Russian separatist group fighting government forces. "When your home is being destroyed, everything that is dear to you, friends, work ... It's about character. Girls who go into combat are real Russian women," she said in an interview, explaining why she joined up. It has proved a tough experience but she has no regrets. Picture taken October 5. TO GO WITH STORY UKRAINE-CRISIS/WOMEN REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (UKRAINE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)