Published: TUESDAY February 13, 2024: 'Orphans Of War' by ZUMA Press photo-journalist Gian Marco Benedetto: Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered a flood of refugees. Many of them were pet owners who had to leave their dogs and cats behind, hoping it would only be a matter of days before they were able to return to them. Thousands of animals across Ukraine were abandoned, and it wasn't long before UAnimals learned that many pets were locked in homes. The atrocities of the war in Ukraine have shattered the lives of not only millions of Ukrainians, but also of thousands of dogs and cats. Due to the ongoing conflict, the number of stray animals has increased, more than doubling in frontline areas. UAnimals have successfully evacuated over 3,700 animals since the start of the invasion. Welcome to 'Orphans Of War'.
© zReportage.com Issue #926 Story of the Week: Published: TUESDAY February 13, 2024: 'Orphans Of War' by ZUMA Press photo-journalist Gian Marco Benedetto: Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered a flood of refugees. Many of them were pet owners who had to leave their dogs and cats behind, hoping it would only be a matter of days before they were able to return to them. Thousands of animals across Ukraine were abandoned, and it wasn't long before UAnimals learned that many pets were locked in homes. The atrocities of the war in Ukraine have shattered the lives of not only millions of Ukrainians, but also of thousands of dogs and cats. Due to the ongoing conflict, the number of stray animals has increased, more than doubling in frontline areas. UAnimals have successfully evacuated over 3,700 animals since the start of the invasion. Welcome to 'Orphans Of War'.

A single paw print in the snow amidst the devastation of war, as UAnimals, a Ukrainian animal rights organization, evacuate pets from frontline. Brave welfare volunteers venture into the heart of the conflict, rescuing animals often caught in the crossfire. Every life saved is a victory against the cruelty of war.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

A member of UAnimals welfare group holds up a small pet crate signaling to the waiting vehicle they are ready for evacuation.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

Members of Ukrainiananimal welfare organization UAnimal prepare to evacuate dogs and puppies from frontline near Siversk. With shelling echoing in the background and fear gripping the human population, the plight of animals often goes unnoticed.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

Two small dogs stand in the snow eager to be evacuated from frontline near Siversk. UAnimal's volunteer welfare teams work tirelessly, providing food and medical care to animals in war-torn zones, and coordinating their evacuation.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

A black cat waits staring wide eyed from a crate, ready to be evacuated from the frontline near Siversk. Every life saved is a victory against the cruelty of war.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

Two men with a black cat ready to be rescued. UAnimals, a Ukrainian animal rights organization, evacuate animals from frontline near Siversk, and venture into the heart of the conflict, rescuing animals caught in the crossfire.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

Members of UAnimals welfare group prepare to evacuate a german shepherd from the frontline near Siversk. From dogs to cats, no animal is left behind. The volunteers dedication exemplifies the true spirit of compassion and resilience.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

A dog sits on the sidewalk outside a restaurant in Siversk.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

Local resident LILIA brings her dog Kefal for evacuation as the UAnimals rescue team arrives at her home in the Donbas region.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

Local residents LILIA and NELE, help UAnimals volunteer VLAD (L) evacuate their dog named Kefal.Tthese brave animal welfare volunteers venture into the heart of the conflict, rescuing animals often caught in the crossfire.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

A dog named Kefal waits to be evacuated by UAnimals welfare group in the Donbas region. With shelling echoing in the background and fear gripping the human population, the plight of animals often goes unnoticed.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

Local resident NINA, 89, says she doesn't want to evacuate the dog of her neighbor who died because of Russian shelling. With shelling echoing in the background and fear gripping the human population, the plight of animals often goes unnoticed.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

NINA 89, (L) and MARINA 51, a few minutes after Russian artillery shelled the village. Nina says she doesn't want to evacuate the dog of her neighbor who died during the Russian shelling.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

A disheveled dog that waits to be evacuated from the village of Niu York in the Donbas region.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

Members of UAnimal's load rescued pets into their vehicle for evacuation from frontline near Siversk. The team work tirelessly, providing food and medical care to animals in war-torn zones, and coordinating their evacuation to safer havens.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

A Ukrainian military vehicle drives down a snow covered road, as the UAnimals rescue team vehicle prepares to evacuate animals from frontline near Siversk, amidst the devastation of war.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

A member of UAnimals carries a pet cage through snow and mud to the waiting vehicle ready for evacuation from frontline near Siversk. Every life saved is a victory against the cruelty of war.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

UAnimals volunteers evacuate a caged dog from the frontline near Siversk. From dogs to cats, no animal is left behind. Their teams work tirelessly, providing food and medical care to animals in war-torn zones, and coordinating their evacuation.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

A heavily damaged home where a dog was evacuated by the UAnimals team amidst the devastation of the ongoing war. Every life saved is a victory against the cruelty of war.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

UAnimals team members help evacuate a dog from the basement of a heavily damaged home at the frontline near Siversk.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

A black dog stands in contrast to the snow near frontline during the ongoing war with Russia. Brave volunteers venture into the heart of the Russia Ukraine conflict, rescuing animals caught in the crossfire. From dogs to cats, no animal is left behind.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

UAnimals welfare volunteers VLAD and SERGEY wait as a pet owner brings them animals in crates to be evacuated amid the ongoing war.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

UAnimals volunteers help to evacuate a cat delivered to them by the owner in the Donbas region.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire

Japanese demon mask stickers line the dashboard of a UAnimals vehicle as the teams heads out to rescue animals. The Ukrainian animal rights organization, evacuate animals from frontlines during the ongoing war with Russia.
© Gian Marco Benedetto/ZUMA Press Wire