«Now the whole border is on fire» — a volunteer about the situation in Sumy region

The border regions of the Sumy region are facing an extremely challenging situation and enduring constant shelling from Russia. Local residents are striving to evacuate, while volunteers are also rescuing abandoned pets from the border area and seeking shelters for them.

Kateryna Andreeva, a volunteer with the European Relief Fund, shared this information on Hromadske Radio.

«The entire border is ablaze now. The enemy’s aim seems to be wiping out everything in our communities. I recently visited the border areas, particularly the Velykopysarivska and Bilopilska communities. My humanitarian mission targets people living within the 5-kilometer zone, whose gardens often border Russia. I provide them with food, hygiene products, and address their other needs because these border residents receive no financial support. Their only resources are vegetable gardens and livestock.

Currently, an elderly man is using his tractor, hoisting a white flag, and attempting to evacuate as many people as possible. All of this is happening amidst the shelling. Children are fleeing with their parents amid intense explosions, clutching hamsters, cats, and dogs, offering them a chance at survival. Exhausted soldiers are bravely defending our borders. There’s also a dedicated group of volunteers rescuing people and animals amidst the chaos, without any compensation», — explained Andreeva.

Numerous abandoned pets remain in settlements near the border, where a significant portion of the population has evacuated. Often, these animals end up trapped, either on chains or indoors. Volunteers are working tirelessly to rescue them and relocate them to safer areas.

Read also: The fate of many residents of Popivka village in Sumy region remains unknown

«This week, I’m planning an evacuation from the village of Ryzhivka, which borders Russia. Our goal is to rescue all the remaining animals there. We have the means to travel there by car, and I’ve initiated a donation campaign to cover fuel costs and purchase cages for animal transportation. There are people willing and able to save these animals, providing them with shelter. Volunteers from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, as well as shelters capable of housing these animals, have joined our efforts. We require individuals to conduct medical examinations on these animals, provide them with food, and establish communication with shelters across the country», — emphasized the volunteer.