Ukrainian Soldiers Use Drone to Rescue Frontline Pets Amid Massive Animal Evacuation Effort

In early April, the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade attached cat Barsik and dog Zagybluk to a drone and flew them 10 km to a rear area. Barsik later rejoined a wounded soldier; Zagybluk now stays with troops at a safer post. The mission required a skilled pilot and breathable pouches.

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UAnimals, an NGO, reports that cats, dogs, livestock have taken shelter in trenches, homes and medical points. Veterinary teams treat, vaccinate and neuter animals in combat zones. Recent rescues include a cow named Lypka, 13 beehives from a mined village, and bees linked to a Holocaust survivor’s family.

CNN

Since the invasion, UAnimals estimates over 10,000 animals have been evacuated, from cats and dogs to tigers, camels and bees. A single mission can treat up to 600 animals, while the group receives about 100 rescue requests daily. Volunteer shortages, limited shelter space and funding gaps restrict response capacity.

New York Post

Press officer Nadiya Zamryga described the drone extraction as a “specialised operation” requiring precise piloting. Inga Sakada, UAnimals’ director of operations, highlighted nonstop frontline veterinary work and the shortage of staff and funds. The Ukrainian Equestrian Federation reported drone strikes that killed racehorses, underscoring broader animal losses.

CNN

UAnimals notes that EU pet-travel rules—mandatory vaccination, microchipping and rabies testing—force many refugees to abandon pets. The group also cites chronic volunteer and shelter shortages that hinder large-scale rescues and adoptions.

New York Post

Iryna Didur, head of Zaporizhzhia shelter “Give a Paw, Friend,” described a Russian drone strike that destroyed the facility and killed animals. Yulia recounted adopting a kitten, Andriuliks-Plush, who now watches Shahed drones from a windowsill without fear. A video showed soldiers celebrating the return of Barsik and Zagybluk.

CNN

Two sources name the UAnimals operations director as Inga Sakada and Inga Sekada, a minor spelling discrepancy. Both agree on a rescue total above 10,000 but offer no independent verification.

New York Post

• “The guys put them in special breathable pouches, carefully tied them to a drone, and evacuated them,” — Nadiya Zamryga, Press Officer

CNN

• “The stress from the drone flight passed very quickly. These animals have been with the guys for two years and they’re not willing to give up their comrade,” — Nadiya Zamryga, Press Officer

CNN

• “Twice a month, our team of vets travels to the frontline zone and works non-stop, sometimes from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., treating, vaccinating and neutering all the animals brought to us,” — Inga Sakada, UAnimals

CNN

• “It was terrifying, to put it mildly,” — Iryna Didur, Head

BBC News