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21h ago

Ukrainian Brigade Uses Drone to Airlift Cat and Dog From Front Line

The operation shows how frontline units use drones to reach animals in places people cannot.

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A man in a green shirt holding a black and white cat, Image 2 shows A Ukrainian serviceman pets a black cat in a trench, Image 3 shows A little white, brown and black dog
A Ukrainian serviceman pets a cat at his position in a trench at a front line in Sumy region in Ukraine.
Zagybluk the dog is now living in the brigade's rear position.
UA Animals volunteers have rescued all kinds of animals from dangerous places, including these bees.

Overview

  • Soldiers from Ukraine’s 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade evacuated Barsik the cat and Zagybluk the dog by drone near Kupyansk in early April 2026.
  • The team secured each animal in a ventilated pouch and flew them out on a heavy-lift drone, which required careful piloting and a gentle landing.
  • Reports differ on the flight length, with CNN citing about 10 kilometers and News18 reporting 12 kilometers, though both confirm the rescue succeeded.
  • Barsik was identified by a wounded caretaker and is set for a reunion, while Zagybluk now lives safely with the unit at a rear position.
  • UA Animals says it has evacuated more than 10,000 animals and runs frontline vet trips that can treat up to 500–600 animals per mission, even as shelters, volunteers, and funding fall short, and strikes and mines continue to kill livestock and wildlife.