Ukrainian Soldiers Use Combat Drone to Move Cat and Four Kittens 7.5 Miles from Front Line

Ukrainian soldiers from the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade used a Vampire hexacopter drone to airlift one adult cat and four kittens from frontline positions on June 8. 5 miles from the front lines to safer territory. The Vampire drone is a heavy hexacopter typically used for night drops of explosives, destruction of armored vehicles, burning dugouts, or delivering supplies.

The drone pilot carefully transported the cats before depositing them safely out of harm’s way. Cats have been observed prowling checkpoints, sheltering in bombed-out buildings, and curling up beside wounded patients in makeshift medical facilities along the front.

Many fleeing Ukrainian families have left pets behind because they could not meet European Union requirements for vaccinations, microchips, and rabies testing. In response, Ukrainians have created shelters and rescue networks for displaced animals, while soldiers have made a habit of taking strays under their wing.

According to UAnimals, one of Ukraine’s largest animal welfare organizations, more than 10,000 animals have been evacuated since the full-scale invasion began.

The rescued animals include cats, dogs, tigers, camels, horses, cows, raccoons, wolves, donkeys, porcupines, lemurs, sheep, and bees.