Ukrainian reconnaissance team evacuates 15 cats from Zmiinyi Island in unique operation

This was reported by the press service of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.

"The arrival of winter frosts made life increasingly difficult for the many cats and kittens living on Zmiinyi Island. As a result, the DIU 'Timur Special Forces' servicemen, who were on patrol, took an important step—evacuating 15 animals from the island to the mainland," the intelligence officers stated.

The rescue operation was supported by the MacPaw Foundation.

After that, the cats were brought to one of the largest animal shelters in Ukraine, Sirius. 

"After the cats rescued from the famous Zmiinyi Island undergo adaptation, they will be available for adoption at the Sirius shelter, where everyone will have the opportunity to adopt and care for one of them," the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine stated.

• This is not the first time that the soldiers of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine, along with Ukrainian charitable foundations, have rescued animals during the war. For instance, during a combat operation in the Kharkiv region earlier this year, servicemen of the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade discovered hungry owls trapped in a cage inside a destroyed house. The birds were rescued and later handed over to Kyrylo Budanov, the Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. Owls are a symbol of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.