Photo Gallery The 'Titan' Female Bodyguard Unit
Members of the Titan unit protect bureaucrats, politicians and private clients. The majority of their clients are businesspeople and their families. But during the 2012 European Football Championship, they are also guarding soccer officials and top players.
The women mostly train in their work clothes --a uniform of pant suits, stilettos and even miniskirts. The chic outfits help them remain undercover says Katja, pictured here.
When they're not protecting VIPs, the members of Titan force are at their training grounds near Kiev. They keep fit with combat and circuit training, as well as target shooting.
Before becoming a member of the Titan unit, Ludmilla was a Ukrainian language and literature teacher. Her interest in martial arts allowed her to successfully change careers, though her main motivation was the salary.
Ludmilla looks like a harmless businesswoman in her pant suit --until she pulls out her semi-automatic pistol from under her jacket.
Mental strength and clarity are the most important abilities needed to be a bodyguard, says trainer Alexander Tsaplya.
Many of the Titan unit's members are married, but they have to quit the dangerous service if they have more than one child.
The bodyguards carry firearms, including the Fort-12, a nine-millimeter Ukrainian pistol.
Viktoria studied to become a lawyer. But she gave up that career to become a bodyguard...
...because she wanted to work in a similar job to her parents, who were also both on the police force.
Bodyguards have to react like machines in extreme situations, says trainer Alexander Tsaplya.
Titan was founded in 1994 by the Ukrainian Interior Ministry. Hundreds of women apply to the unit each year.
More than 20 female bodyguards are currently working for Titan. "Women make better bodyguards," says Tsaplya, who has been training bodyguards for eight years. "They react faster."
