A rocket destroyed an animal shelter near Odesa: preliminary reports say 13 animals were killed

Today, September 29, a Russian missile struck directly the building of an animal shelter in Velykodolynske in the Odesa region. After the explosion a fire broke out near the enclosures, the flames quickly spread across the site, and the shelter was effectively destroyed. According to preliminary data, 13 animals died.

The shelter director Olha Shevelieva told the USI publication that the missile was flying so fast that it was impossible to react.

It’s unreal, impossible to do anything. It flies very fast, literally less than half a second. It becomes a firework of this metal. It all burns, — she said.

In the interval between the two strikes the director tried to stop the fire from spreading to the enclosures made from pallets. However, soon the second wave began.

We found ourselves in a ring of fire. While I was extinguishing it so it wouldn’t spread to the enclosures, because the enclosures are made of pallets, minutes were passing. And after 7–10 minutes there was the second wave, — the director said.

According to preliminary information, the victims of the fire were three dogs and 10 cats. Olha Shevelieva managed to save five animals, but the final number of survivors is still unknown.

The fire also damaged property, food and medicine supplies. The animals that survived need help, and the shelter grounds must be cleared and restored.

That same night Russian forces attacked the Odesa region. As a result of the strikes people were injured and civilian infrastructure was damaged.

Earlier we wrote:

• Four killed overnight: Russia launched over 2,200 drones at Ukraine in a week
• Three populated areas left without power after strikes in Mykolaiv region
• “So many resources on a non-working facility”: “Vanyok” commented on the massive attack
• Russians strike schools and cultural centres: new strikes in Mykolaiv region
• Paradise for the tailed in Lupariv: 60 dogs, 47 cats and a pond with fish