Every day that Animal Rescue Kharkiv’s team drives into the Ukraine war zone, they know they may never make it back. But even in the midst of war, it’s impossible to be prepared for a drone roaring towards your moving vehicle—and striking it.

The blast ripped apart the back doors and left the windshield fractured, but the rescue team members were unscathed. Because the PETA-backed team was on its way to pick up cats and dogs, there were no rescued animals inside the van during the attack. Ever inspiring, the rescue team decided to continue forward to help the animals at the front line even after this brush with death.

Animal Rescue Kharkiv Evacuated Dozens of Animals Despite the Drone Attack

Despite the drone-struck van, the rescuers managed to rescue a whopping 20 animals from around Kharkiv. They meticulously secured three cats and 17 dogs, including three puppies, into the damaged van and drove them to safety. Now, all 20 animals are receiving care at shelters while they wait to be reunited with their loving guardians or find new families.

Life as an Animal Rescuer in Ukraine Is Always Dangerous

This wasn’t the first time a drone strike damaged Animal Rescue Kharkiv’s rescue vehicle. In November 2024, a rescue vehicle was destroyed after being hit. Had they been driving just slightly faster, everyone inside likely would have been killed.

Will You Help Teams Up Against All Odds?

When you give to PETA’s Global Compassion Fund, you’re sending help for animals into war zones, flood zones, and other places where we are often animal’s only hope. Your generous support has already helped save more than 26,000 animals in Ukraine from hunger, terror, and certain death since the war began.