From Battlefield Cats to Rescued Bees: Ukrainians Don't Forget to Protect Animals Amidst War
Amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, soldiers and the animal protection organization UAnimals are rescuing various animals, from cats and dogs to cows and even bees. Reports highlight dangerous drone-assisted rescue operations and animal treatment/protection activities on the front lines, demonstrating the deep bond between animals and people during wartime.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 04:24
- 🔍 Collected: April 26, 2026 at 04:31 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 26, 2026 at 04:34 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Kyiv, April 25, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Most Ukrainian soldiers know very well that anyone who joins the military will, sooner or later, become a cat lover.
According to CNN, whether in trenches, checkpoints, destroyed homes, or medical aid points, Ukrainian forces always find cats in the most unexpected places on the front lines. Cats are always looking for warmth and food, and they reciprocate by being affectionate and seeking pats to boost morale.
But even animals seasoned on the front lines can sometimes find themselves in danger. Earlier this month, Ukraine's 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade used a drone to evacuate a cat and a dog from the heart of the conflict.
Cats "Barsik" and dog "Zagybrook" used to roam in the rear defense areas of the unit but somehow ended up in dangerous front-line positions.
Because it was too dangerous to evacuate these two furry friends from the front line by human means, a drone was deployed. Nadiya Zamryga, the brigade's press officer, told CNN by phone: "They put them in special, breathable bags, carefully tied them to the drone, and then evacuated them."
She stated that this mission tested the professional skills of the drone pilot, who not only had to fly the animals for about 10 kilometers but also had to land them "gently."
Zamryga said the evacuation was a complete success, with Barsik being recognized at first sight by his "cat dad" and is about to be reunited with the soldier, who is slowly recovering from injuries.
As for Zagybrook, he is currently staying at the unit's rear base, far from the front line. Zamryga said he is doing well there.
Even during wartime, including the chaotic and brutal days of the initial full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, many Ukrainians have steadfastly remained with their animals, a commitment that has touched countless people worldwide.
As this arduous war enters its fifth year, there are still no signs of abatement.
Inga Sakada, Operations Director of UAnimals, a large Ukrainian animal protection organization, stated that they have long been involved in the evacuation, medical treatment, and care of animals in front-line areas.
She said: "Our veterinary team goes to front-line areas twice a month, working from 7 AM until 10 PM, treating, vaccinating, and sterilizing all the animals brought to them." She added that one operation can care for 500 to 600 animals.
Sakada said that many people forced to separate from their animals during evacuation know that they may not be reunited with their pets for a long time.
"Someone who couldn't take their cow during evacuation even wrote a handwritten letter describing the cow's personality, how it liked to spend its time, what it liked to eat, that it was gentle, needed interaction, and really enjoyed that life."
Sakada stated that this cow, named Lypka, is currently living in a shelter and has attracted many fans.
She also stated that the organization always faces heavy demand. There are not enough volunteers, not enough space in shelters, a severe shortage of people willing to adopt stray and abandoned animals, and never enough funding.
"The number of animals left behind on the front lines is enormous... At peak times, we might receive about a hundred calls for help a day, and unfortunately, we cannot respond to all of them."
Not all animals can be saved. The Ukrainian Equestrian Federation reported last September that a Russian drone attack on stables killed several racehorses; in October, an attack on a farm in Kharkiv resulted in the death of up to 13,000 pigs. Ukrainian officials responsible for the Chernobyl exclusion zone also warned this week that landmines left by retreating Russian forces are killing local wildlife, including endangered Mongolian wild horses.
UAnimals stated that since the full-scale war began, they have evacuated over 10,000 animals, including not only cats and dogs but also tigers, lions, camels, horses, raccoons, wolves, donkeys, porcupines, lemurs, sheep, and bees.
Yes, bees. Sakada noted that the UAnimals team once rescued 13 beehives from a newly liberated but still mined village in eastern Ukraine, transporting them to Lviv to reunite them with their owner. Team members were stung multiple times along the way, but everyone felt it was worth it.
These bees originally belonged to a Holocaust survivor, who passed them down to his grandson. Sakada said that when the man saw the bees, he was moved to tears.
Many evacuated animals have entered shelters, and some have been adopted into new homes.
Yulia, a resident of Kharkiv, recently adopted a kitten rescued by the 14th Brigade from Kupiansk on the front line, at the urging of her 10-year-old son. Yulia laughed, saying that whenever Russian "Shahed" drones fly by, this little fellow, far from being afraid of the noise, jumps onto the windowsill to observe intently, truly a "battlefield cat." (Compiler: Cai Jiamin) 1150426
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(Central News Agency, Kyiv, April 25, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Most Ukrainian soldiers know very well that anyone who joins the military will, sooner or later, become a cat lover.
According to CNN, whether in trenches, checkpoints, destroyed homes, or medical aid points, Ukrainian forces always find cats in the most unexpected places on the front lines. Cats are always looking for warmth and food, and they reciprocate by being affectionate and seeking pats to boost morale.
But even animals seasoned on the front lines can sometimes find themselves in danger. Earlier this month, Ukraine's 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade used a drone to evacuate a cat and a dog from the heart of the conflict.
Cats "Barsik" and dog "Zagybrook" used to roam in the rear defense areas of the unit but somehow ended up in dangerous front-line positions.
Because it was too dangerous to evacuate these two furry friends from the front line by human means, a drone was deployed. Nadiya Zamryga, the brigade's press officer, told CNN by phone: "They put them in special, breathable bags, carefully tied them to the drone, and then evacuated them."
She stated that this mission tested the professional skills of the drone pilot, who not only had to fly the animals for about 10 kilometers but also had to land them "gently."
Zamryga said the evacuation was a complete success, with Barsik being recognized at first sight by his "cat dad" and is about to be reunited with the soldier, who is slowly recovering from injuries.
As for Zagybrook, he is currently staying at the unit's rear base, far from the front line. Zamryga said he is doing well there.
Even during wartime, including the chaotic and brutal days of the initial full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, many Ukrainians have steadfastly remained with their animals, a commitment that has touched countless people worldwide.
As this arduous war enters its fifth year, there are still no signs of abatement.
Inga Sakada, Operations Director of UAnimals, a large Ukrainian animal protection organization, stated that they have long been involved in the evacuation, medical treatment, and care of animals in front-line areas.
She said: "Our veterinary team goes to front-line areas twice a month, working from 7 AM until 10 PM, treating, vaccinating, and sterilizing all the animals brought to them." She added that one operation can care for 500 to 600 animals.
Sakada said that many people forced to separate from their animals during evacuation know that they may not be reunited with their pets for a long time.
"Someone who couldn't take their cow during evacuation even wrote a handwritten letter describing the cow's personality, how it liked to spend its time, what it liked to eat, that it was gentle, needed interaction, and really enjoyed that life."
Sakada stated that this cow, named Lypka, is currently living in a shelter and has attracted many fans.
She also stated that the organization always faces heavy demand. There are not enough volunteers, not enough space in shelters, a severe shortage of people willing to adopt stray and abandoned animals, and never enough funding.
"The number of animals left behind on the front lines is enormous... At peak times, we might receive about a hundred calls for help a day, and unfortunately, we cannot respond to all of them."
Not all animals can be saved. The Ukrainian Equestrian Federation reported last September that a Russian drone attack on stables killed several racehorses; in October, an attack on a farm in Kharkiv resulted in the death of up to 13,000 pigs. Ukrainian officials responsible for the Chernobyl exclusion zone also warned this week that landmines left by retreating Russian forces are killing local wildlife, including endangered Mongolian wild horses.
UAnimals stated that since the full-scale war began, they have evacuated over 10,000 animals, including not only cats and dogs but also tigers, lions, camels, horses, raccoons, wolves, donkeys, porcupines, lemurs, sheep, and bees.
Yes, bees. Sakada noted that the UAnimals team once rescued 13 beehives from a newly liberated but still mined village in eastern Ukraine, transporting them to Lviv to reunite them with their owner. Team members were stung multiple times along the way, but everyone felt it was worth it.
These bees originally belonged to a Holocaust survivor, who passed them down to his grandson. Sakada said that when the man saw the bees, he was moved to tears.
Many evacuated animals have entered shelters, and some have been adopted into new homes.
Yulia, a resident of Kharkiv, recently adopted a kitten rescued by the 14th Brigade from Kupiansk on the front line, at the urging of her 10-year-old son. Yulia laughed, saying that whenever Russian "Shahed" drones fly by, this little fellow, far from being afraid of the noise, jumps onto the windowsill to observe intently, truly a "battlefield cat." (Compiler: Cai Jiamin) 1150426
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.