Russian Navy's first all-female crew on patrol

Russian Navy's first all-female crew on patrol

In a first for the Russian Navy, an all-female navy crew carried out patrols on the Black Sea on Friday in preparation for Russia's Navy Day celebrations later this month.

Olivia Chan reports.

In a first for the Russian Navy, an all-female crew carried out patrols on the Black Sea on Friday (July 10).

The crew fulfilled a broad array of drills in preparation for the country's Navy Day celebrations later this month.

The voyage marks a symbolic step in Russian women's quest to play a more active role in the armed forces, an institution dominated by men.

Olga Chelkova, a senior engine mechanic in the crew hailed that this is an experiment that women have never taken part in before.

The navy still holds barriers to entry for women.

A decree signed by President Vladimir Putin in 2000 lists 456 jobs in 38 industries which women are barred from doing.

It says those jobs would entail "heavy work and work in harmful working conditions".

The Russian government plans to shorten the list of jobs women are barred from holding next year.