On June 15, Russian forces targeted Kharkiv, striking a zoo and resulting in damage to animal enclosures and injuries among the animals. The incident occurred in the Shevchenkivskyi district, prompting an immediate response from local authorities.
Igor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, confirmed the strike and stated that details were still being clarified. He mentioned that there were reports of injured animals, and the situation was under assessment.
Subsequently, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) reported that several animals had died due to the shelling. The attack also ignited a fire within the zoo, which was quickly extinguished by emergency responders.
In a coordinated effort, DSNS personnel, along with police and zoo staff, successfully evacuated animals from the vivarium to ensure their safety. This operation involved the collaboration of various emergency services to mitigate the impact of the attack.
The incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by civilian infrastructure and wildlife in conflict zones, as military actions continue to affect urban areas in Ukraine.
A Russian strike on a zoo in Kharkiv resulted in damage to enclosures and the death of several animals. Emergency services responded promptly to evacuate the surviving animals and extinguish a fire caused by the attack.