1S.Cats go to war, earn money to donate to Ukrainian soldiers

Cats arrived at Ukrainian army barracks from nearby villages or towns devastated by bombs and abandoned by their owners. They seek human protection from constant shelling and drone attacks, according to Forbes magazine . 

“When trembling cats come to you seeking protection, how can you refuse? We are strong so we protect weaker creatures, creatures that fall into the same terrible situation as us” – Oleksandr Yabchanka, a Ukrainian military doctor, explained.

Cats and other Animals are bringing comfort to Ukrainian soldiers.

“Some people adopt them and take them home, others like to keep them in the trenches and even transfer them to other units during rotation,” said Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesman for the Ukrainian army. transfer”.

The adopted cats also fight their own battle: against rats in the trenches.

Cat “commander” Syrsky

Commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky is famous as one of Ukraine’s most effective combat leaders. But his cat with the same name is more famous. 

Roman Sinicyn, a Ukrainian military officer and owner of Syrsky, explains: “The cat got this name because it likes cheese (syr in Ukrainian). Of course, when it has the same name as the general, it brings joy to the soldiers,” Sinicyn said.

Even General Syrsky found it funny, given Syrsky’s infinite cuteness.

Sinicyn recounted Syrsky’s exploits: “I took Syrsky home when we left that location. Now he lives with my family in Kiev, but he continues to help the army. Thanks to his popularity on social networks, Syrsky cat earned 147,000 euros to buy Mini Shark UAV complexes used to guide artillery,” Mr. Sinicyn said.

Shaybyk cat “earned” 7 cars

Oleksandr Liashuk, from the Odesa region in southwestern Ukraine, fought alongside Shaybyk, one of four stray kittens, living with his unit on the southern front in 2022.

“Shaybyk has the most charisma among the four. It got cold so one night I had to carry him in my sleeping bag. And that was the moment I started to love this cat” – Liashuk, 26 years old, said. 

Since then, Shaybyk has followed Liaskuk to various combat positions. The image of this couple “living and dying together” has spread everywhere thanks to their joint patrol videos.

Liashuk describes little Shaybyk as the perfect hunter: “Once we went to a place in the forest and Shaybyk caught 11 mice in one day.”

Shaybyk the cat also acts as a donor to the Ukrainian army: this cat brought 7 cars and many other items to Liashuk’s unit, for which he received a special award in September 2023.

Herych – son of an upper class family

Unlike the stray cats on the front lines, Herald, known as Herych, is a cat aristocrat.

As soon as the conflict broke out, this Scottish cat joined in “fighting” with his owner, Kyrylo Liukov – military coordinator of the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation.

Herych and his master Liukov went to the front more than 20 times to console the soldiers.

“Every time he was the star of the meetings, many fighters ran up to us to Pet him and take pictures with him,” Liukov said. There were so many people, Herych tried to be patient even though he was a bit shocked.”

Like Syrsky, Herych led a campaign to raise millions of hryvnia (1 million hryvnia is equivalent to about 25,000 euros) to buy cars for the Ukrainian army.