UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, May 11 — Volunteers of the Animal Rescue Kharkiv organization evacuated 1,095 animals from Vovchansk in over 40 days, said the press service of the organization.

Vovchansk, a city that was a primary goal  of the Russian ground offensive in 2024. In 2026, the city was completely destroyed by the constant Russian air attacks on it. Vovchsnsk is located 10 km (~6,2 miles) from the state border and 50 km (~31 miles) from Kharkiv, the region’s center city.

Following the Russians’ renewed offensive, volunteers began receiving a large number of requests to rescue animals from various areas of Vovchansk.

The organization reported that the evacuations continued almost nonstop. Rescue workers from Switzerland and Germany, as well as volunteers from the “12 Guardians” charitable foundation, joined the operations.

“It was a very dangerous operation: four vehicles lost, injuries, with the Russians  targeting the animal rescue crews. Some of the rescued animals were later reclaimed by their owners, while others were rehomed through volunteer networks in various regions of Ukraine.

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