Just a couple of weeks ago, Ksenia, Pen, Lach, Angela and Nina safely evacuated “Baba” from the frontlines of Kramatorsk and brought her to the safety of the Gostomel shelter. For 10 long years, Baba had lived on the army base at the airport, turning up as a stray but acting as the most loyal mascot and a source of comfort and warmth for the troops serving their time there.

Recently, her base in Kramatorsk was directly hit by a “Molniya” drone. It caused a massive explosion and a devastating fire. The soldiers actually thought they had lost Baba; they searched the ruins and couldn't find her, but she somehow managed to escape and survive, turning up about 5 days later.

Just before this past weekend, the very soldier who had looked after Baba for most of those years — an extremely brave man who had been serving his country since 2017 — was killed by an FPV drone strike at the base. He leaves behind a wife and children who have lost their husband and father.

This soldier’s final, determined wish was to ensure Baba left that base. He knew she was getting older, he knew she was exhausted from the daily shelling that's just getting more and more as this war goes on, and he wanted more than anything for her to have a calm, peaceful life in her later years.

Baba is safe now at Gostomel, but she carries the legacy of a true hero who loved her until the very end.

Please keep this brave soldier's family and his comrades in your thoughts. We will not forget his kindness, his bravery, or the sacrifice he made, and Baba will continue to be a symbol of all that he stood for.

Rest in peace.

Baba's journey is one of survival, loyalty, and hope. Watch her full story here: