Much of the world has taken notice to the human toll exacted thus far through Russia’s war in Ukraine, but not as much heed is being paid to those creatures who cannot make that retreat from harm as easily, if at all. The conflict has also taken a major toll on wildlife and domestic animals – this article investigates the harm it has caused to Ukraine’s flora and fauna, along with the rescue efforts attempting to save what can still be saved.
The Ecological Toll
Ukraine’s natural landscapes and wildlife have been devastated by Russia’s invasion of the country. The divide left an estimated 25% of the country’s nature reserves in Russian hands and entire ecosystems disrupted or devastated.
Biologists estimate that tens of thousands of Black Sea dolphins were killed, but its exact number is difficult to determine. The damage caused to natural habitats and wildlife could be the basis of a prosecution for war crimes, based on ‘ecocide’, considered by some Ukrainian authorities amid thoughts held over pursuing Russia on the environmental threat that can impact long-term ecosystems with its wildlife.
Domestic animals are no better off. Before the conflict, there were up to 5.5 million cats and around 750,000 dogs in Ukraine. This has caused the death or desertion of many such pets and a huge increase in the number of stray animals. This has prompted local authorities and animal welfare organisations to launch emergency missions to evacuate and care for these animals, while Russian action remains ongoing.
Animal Heroes of Ukraine: Resilience
Even with the impossible odds stacked against them, Ukraine’s animals remain touchstones of resilience and hope amidst the conflict. A few of the luckiest have even found fame on Instagram, their tales serving as a reminder of the deep bond between Ukrainians and their pets.
Another that of Stepan, the cat with 1.5 million followers on Instagram who saved its owners after shelling was heard in their car-destroyed town Kharkiv this January. Another hit picture featured a dog that sat in front of and embraced the leg pityingly of a guy, and became an emblem for the war’s effect to Ukraine´s animal world.
In combat and waiting right along their owners are not only the pets who were evacuated with the civilians, but also some animals specifically enrolled into the ranks of Ukrainian army squadrons. Crafts have been brought good news in the form of trained dogs for demining, while cats (for controlling mice in trenches) have been described as ‘a secret weapon of Ukraine’.
Conclusion
The devastating human cost of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been widely covered by the media but the suffering and killing caused to animals in the country is barely known. Yet the tales of their fortitude and courage have been a beacon in times of what seems like obfuscating darkness. The war is only getting worse, but the protection and care of animals in Ukraine are more important than ever before—and this applies not only to individual species, but also to their place in the broader ecological and cultural tapestry of Ukraine.
