Number of women fighting in Ukrainian war revealed

Eighteen months on from Russia's invasion, there are 60,000 women serving in the nation's armed forces. More than 42,000 are in military positions - including 5,000 female soldiers on the front line, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine told BBC.

Andriana Arekhta is a special unit sergeant in the Ukrainian armed forces, preparing to return to the front line.

The BBC found Andriana in a rehabilitation centre in Ukraine - in a location we cannot name for her safety - after she was injured by a landmine in the Kherson region in December.

Numerous text and video reports in Russian celebrate her "death" in graphic detail.

"They published that I am without legs and without hands and that I was killed by them," says Andriana. "They are professionals in propaganda."

The reports include lurid descriptions of her such as "executioner", and an "eliminated Nazi".

She said in their reports Russia described her as cruel and sadist. Andriana added that she is alive and will protect her country.