‘Animals in War’: A Powerful anthology exposes hidden victims of the Ukraine conflict

“Around six million domestic animals died in 2022 alone and by 2023, volunteers and shelters were caring for nearly 20,000 cats and 26,000 dogs”: Ukraine Authorities

Kyiv: More than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the human toll is staggering: thousands dead, millions displaced, and countless lives upended. But amid the headlines about military strategy and humanitarian crises, another group of victims is often overlooked — animals.

From beloved pets to wild creatures, animals across Ukraine have suffered immensely. In occupied and frontline areas, they face constant danger, hunger, and psychological stress. Their homes — whether city shelters or forest ecosystems — have been destroyed or contaminated, and many of the people who once cared for them have fled or become refugees themselves.

A new film project aims to shine a spotlight on these silent casualties. Animals in War, a Ukrainian-German anthology film, tells the stories of animals whose lives have been shattered by war. Premiering on June 8 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, the collection includes seven short films, most inspired by true events. It explores the war’s overlooked ecological and emotional impact through a shared theme: compassion.

“Animals in War is a poignant anthology film inspired by true stories of animals affected by the war in Ukraine,” said Casey Baron, a programmer at Tribeca. “Featuring a white rabbit, a wolf, a cow, and other animals as central figures, the film employs a range of artistic styles to explore the war’s often overlooked ecological impact. It’s a compelling work that issues an urgent plea for compassion, reflection, and action.”

The anthology was the result of two years of collaboration between roughly 500 filmmakers from Ukraine and abroad. It was produced by Oleksiy Makukhin and Oleg Kokhan, with acclaimed Ukrainian director Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi — known for The Tribe — helming the opening episode. The soundtrack features “Burn Out” by American rock band Imagine Dragons. Actor and activist Sean Penn also contributed to the project.

Social impact was a core focus for the filmmakers. The project partnered with Save Pets of Ukraine, a humanitarian initiative run by the nonprofit U-Hearts Foundation, which was founded by Kormotech, a Ukrainian pet food company. U-Hearts channels global donations toward animal welfare groups and volunteers working on the ground in Ukraine.

“The way a nation treats animals is a clear marker of its level of civilization,” said producer Oleg Kokhan. “Our partnership with Save Pets of Ukraine and Kormotech shows how socially responsible businesses and the arts can join forces to raise global awareness.”

Despite the urgency, public attention to animals in war remains limited. Official statistics from Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food show that around six million domestic animals died in 2022 alone. Meanwhile, a 2023 joint study by Kormotech and Save Pets of Ukraine found that the number of animals being cared for by shelters and volunteers has doubled in frontline regions, risen by 60% among individual volunteers, and increased by 20–30% even in safer parts of the country.

By 2023, volunteers and shelters were caring for nearly 20,000 cats and 26,000 dogs — and the numbers have only grown since.

Beyond the suffering of domestic animals, the war has devastated Ukraine’s wildlife and natural ecosystems. Nature reserves have been destroyed, water sources polluted, and forests riddled with landmines, pushing countless wild animals out of their habitats — or ending their lives.

Animals in War doesn’t focus on combat scenes. Instead, it reveals the war’s emotional and environmental cost through the eyes of its most vulnerable victims. In doing so, the film reframes the conflict as not just a humanitarian disaster, but an ecological one — a global issue that transcends borders.

Through art and empathy, the creators of Animals in War issue a powerful reminder: the suffering of animals in conflict is real, widespread, and deeply connected to the fate of humanity itself.