PHOTOS: The Adorable Cats and Dogs that Provide Comfort to Ukrainian Troops in Front-Line Trenches

A cat looks down at a Ukrainian soldier resting in a trench on the front line with Russia backed separatists near Krasnogorivka village, Donetsk region on February 28, 2020.

• Photos show the dogs and cats Ukrainian soldiers keep as pets on the front lines.
• Pets have long accompanied troops in war, with some serving important operational roles and others there for morale.
• In Ukraine, some units have adopted stray pets from ruined towns, giving them a home.

In the midst of a gruesome conflict, Ukrainian troops have found solace in the presence of furry friends along the front lines.

Photos from the war show cats and dogs joining soldiers in the trenches, accompanying them while scouting for the enemy, or simply providing companionship during moments of respite.

A Ukrainian soldier caresses a cat while standing guard at a trench in Yasnogorodka village of Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 20, 2022.

Artyom, a Ukrainian soldier, pets a cat in a trench on the front line on December 12, 2021, in Zolote, Ukraine.

Ukraine is not the first battlefield where soldiers have found comfort in the presence of cats, dogs, and other pets. Animals have long provided companionship during times of war.

Some famous examples include Crimean Tom, a Russian tabby cat adopted by British soldiers after the capture of Sevastopol during the 1854-1856 Crimean War. Tom, or a cat believed to be him, is now preserved and on display at the National Army Museum.

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By: cpanella@businessinsider.com (Chris Panella)
Title: PHOTOS: The Adorable Cats and Dogs that Provide Comfort to Ukrainian Troops in Front-Line Trenches
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/photos-dogs-cats-keeping-ukrainian-troops-company-on-front-line-2023-11
Published Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:00:01 +0000