Today, we take you to the Borova direction, a region that has seen intense fighting and occupation. The district centre of Borova itself was occupied for months, and while liberated now, much of the surrounding area, including small villages, remains heavily damaged, depopulated, and dangerously mined.
It's in this perilous landscape that our next story unfolds.
In the village of Zahryzove, near Borova, time seems to have stopped. There are almost no people left here and the entire area is heavily mined. Yet, amidst this desolation, one elderly man remains - a guardian to the forgotten cats and dogs there.
Witnessing their desperate need and the elderly man’s struggles, the soldier squadron deployed to the village made a decision: they had to help the man and save as many animals as they could. One incredibly courageous soldier on his precious day-off volunteered to go into the mined village to evacuate some of the most vulnerable. He drove in, determined... then disappeared for four agonising days. Fears grew for his safety.
Tragically, it later emerged that his car had been hit on the way back, erupting into flames.
But, against all odds, this soldier somehow walked away, carrying an astonishing 10 tiny kittens and a pregnant cat in his arms all the way back to base. He had lost his vehicle, but saved a dozen innocent lives. This is the unwavering spirit of Ukraine's defenders.
In the spirit of why our charity was formed in the first place, Nowzad is proud to support these soldiers, helping them continue their vital work of rescuing and caring for animals in war zones.
Please, join us and donate!