Bochkareva formed the first women's battalion in July 1917, a genuine first in Russia.
In July 1917, Maria Bochkareva formed and led the Women’s Battalion of Death, the first women’s battalion to be organized in Russia. This unit was a remarkable achievement during World War I and represented a bold challenge to traditional gender norms in the military. Bochkareva's leadership and the unit's active engagement at the front in Belorussia set a precedent for women's roles in armed forces worldwide. Despite internal resistance and societal barriers, the battalion demonstrated women's capacity for leadership and combat, thereby paving the way for future generations of women soldiers.