Stray animals boost morale on Ukraine’s front lines as Russia and Nato remain at odds

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On the muddy and freezing front lines of Ukraine’s conflict with pro-Russian separatist forces, entrenched soldiers have been adopting stray cats and dogs and finding that the animals are quickly becoming valued assets. “She immediately barks or growls if the enemy is planning an attack,” said 21-year-old Ukrainian soldier Mykyta about his dog, explaining how the animals help make the tense situation “safer and calmer”.

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[raksh]

This is beautiful and heartbreaking. The animals have new owners who look after them, and the soldiers have loving companions, but the situation under which this happens is terrible.

[exudeku]

The oldest anti-depressant in the battlefield: animals

[valchan]

“He’s lived with us for 2 months, he’s killed all the mice” What a lad.

[fletcherriverwood]

I wish all strays and Ukraine soldiers able to find their home safely

[HowToChangeName]

The Ukrainian soldier are so prepared for combat, they even have anti-depression ready

[Fulcrox]

As someone who works on security, stray animals are naturally attracted to human concentrations, specially the ones who we're pets on some point, and yes they are valuable in many ways, not only they are a companion but they provide security and sanitation by alerting about people movements to sentries, and eating plagues like rats and bugs, so always welcome them in kind, they want love and food and they work for it

[chrisgrootwassink]

I remembered when I was cycling through the balkans that everybody warned me the stray dogs would bite me. Turned out they were the sweetest dogs. Only domestic dogs sometimes chased and almost bit me.

[skyangel]

As a cat lover I can confirm that cats do make you feel calmer.

[GreaterGermanRepublic]

There is something sadly human about this. A bittersweet beauty in all of this to see such humanity and such bonds being formed between these people and animals. Really it just serves to humanize what's going on.

[sebastien]

I hope the soldiers adopt these sweethearts

[zubdub]

It's basically what we'd do in Afghanistan, too. Lots of stray dogs would be all over the place. We had a small pack of stray dogs we eventually adopted onto our camp. They were great for morale, and we got to keep them healthy/safe from the harsh conditions outside.

[KriS-vebm]

Today in the world We do not need the escalation of another conflict. We need peace and our own understanding.

[MGSSAB]

My father had the same in Vietnam. The Village and school he and his Platoon protected had a ton of stray animals they looked after and had as companions. They were also an early warning when an attack by the NVA was coming. Extremely helpful. We stand with you, Ukraine. You will not be left alone if serious conflict erupts. Slava Ukraini!! Love from the US.

[rtservice]

The cat doesn’t know what is expecting him. The soldiers have someone to care for. Cats joined the army.

[Lucyx.]

A month later, my deepest prayers to everyone in Ukraine, including the stray animals 🙏

[fassolhermani]

0:48 I don't know why I find the idea of pets being abandoned so heartbreaking, it always moves me emotionally when I hear such a story..

[axlrose]

Im crying rn and I cant do anything. My heart literally hurt thinking about the innocent lives suffering during this tragedy. I pray for the safety of every one and my condolences to the lives lost 💔

[rachelcookie]

That little kitten is so cute but it made me anxious how close it was to the fire. It was so close to accidentally lighting it’s self on fire.

[RifleGaming]

I'm wondering right now how's the life of those animals there... I wanna cryyy :(

[vim]

The calm vibes from the music and pets gave me a sense of nostalgia. Its not that I've been to war but a sense of nostalgia I once felt before playing videogames. I'm glad to know the stray animals are boosting the morale of the soldiers.