Pets Of Ukraine Follow Soldiers Into Battle, Others Rescued By Refugees

Soldiers in Ukraine are turning to their dogs, cats, and other furry friends for support.

Over three million refugees have fled the county and hundreds of civilians have been declared dead. Two Fox News crew members - a 24-year-old journalist and a cameraman - were confirmed killed in the fighting earlier this week.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has been sharing photos of soldiers and the four-legged friends that are keeping them company throughout this Russian invasion, which has dragged on for almost a month with no end in sight.

“Our four-legged friends are ready to serve the country ??” they wrote in the caption.

In a previous exclusive interview with The Blast, former Presidential advisor Igor Novikov called the pet crisis in Ukraine “one of the most heartbreaking” sides of the whole situation.

He pointed out the heartbreaking photos from the Kyiv rail station that have gone viral online. In the photographs, refugees can be seen turning their dogs, cats, and other animals loose as they fled their homes to escape the encroaching Russian military forces.

“Staying human,” they wrote in the caption, which shows a white cat walking along beside a smiling soldier.

“This is an amazing photo. You can feel the love between the soldier and the cat, a brief moment of peace amongst the chaos,” one user wrote. “A smile and a head bonk. My heart goes out to Ukrainians all over the world. Stand strong. The rest of the world is with you. ????”

“Staying human is your biggest strength. It is your guiding light,” another user wrote. “Please feel very much supported, every day again?”

“Animals feel the war like humans. This dog was so frightened of exploding bombs that it literally couldn’t walk ?” they wrote.

“It's just heartbreaking ? on one side to see the suffering of animals who don’t understand what's going on with them! And on the other side so heartwarming ❤️ is the attitude of the Ukrainian people to animals!” one user commented. “I pray this war will be over! Because it's just not fair !! We all support you !!! And I wish he could do more !!!”

“The poor animals don’t understand why this happening, we must help Ukraine, give them the planes close the sky’s !!!” another wrote.

“Bless the animals and all of Ukraine. Love always wins!?” said another.

“Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was right writing ‘You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.’ ? Here is how Ukrainians save lives of their pets bringing them out of shelled hotspots. Cats and dogs care about their beloved as well, for sure! ??” they wrote in the caption.

Thee series of photographs shows dogs and cats being carried by refugees away from the destruction. In one photograph, a woman in a wheelchair has a dog strapped to the side of her chair.

“Oh my God! Wonderful! You are really amazing people. in the midst of such a difficult time, you not lose their tenderness, sensitivity and ability to do good,” one user wrote. “Congratulations. Proud that the world has people with a noble heart.”

“They are a comfort in a dark time - Ukrainians your hearts are as big as your courage!” another commented. “You amaze us every day... every single day. We are here for you!”

Igor Novikov explained that there is a shortage of pet food in Ukraine and encouraged individuals from around the world to donate.

“That is one of the things that you, if you want to help us in a humanitarian way, then don’t forget about our pets as well,” he said. “I have two dogs and two cats and I made the decision that if I ever have to move, they move with me, regardless of the cost or the trouble.”