Compassionate Impact Report: Dana’s Journey to Ukraine, October 2024, capturing the sights, sounds, and stories of resilience.

With a heart full of dedication and compassion, Dana Costin, CEO of ROLDA, embarked on a five-day mission to Ukraine in October 2024 travelling to the Kharkiv region, where she provided crucial support for animal rescue operations near the front lines. With a van packed with food and other necessities, she spent two days driving the war-torn path from Galați, Romania, to Odessa and Mykolaiv, the unsettling drone of distant air raid sirens and the delays at customs serving as a constant reminder of the precarious peace in the region. Undeterred, Dana pressed on to Kharkiv, where she found the ARK team, their faces etched with exhaustion but their spirits unbroken, tirelessly working to save animals caught in the conflict’s crossfire.

The constant exposure to suffering and death near the front lines takes a heavy emotional toll on rescue workers. In Kharkiv, Dana witnessed the heart-wrenching scene of locals, their faces etched with anguish, reluctantly parting with their cherished pets, their lives turned upside down by the devastating war. Rescue teams like ARK and ROLDA, with the help of their partner Ruslan, brave perilous environments, retrieving animals from destroyed homes, deserted farms, and even war-torn battlefields. “The animals seem to understand,” Dana noted, observing their silence during high-speed escapes from dangerous areas—where they drive without stopping, even with lights off to avoid detection.

Each animal saved in war shows their resilience and the compassion of their rescuers.

Ruslan, a skilled driver and rescuer, brought Dana to Borova and nearby villages. He rescues animals, comforts victims, and collects food donations while navigating dangerous terrain. The bond between humans and animals was clear when soldiers gave their food to rescued puppies.

Each step of the journey underscored the immense financial weight these life-saving missions carry. The van’s engine roars constantly, fuelled by a steady stream of gasoline, as it battles the relentless bumps and potholes on the unforgiving roads. The chance to rescue and care for animals in need, providing them with the comfort and treatment they desperately need, is truly invaluable. Dana remembers the day she saved 22 animals, including 10 dogs, 9 cats, and 3 goats. She can still feel the warmth of their tiny bodies and hear the grateful meows and barks.

Dana and her team not only rescued animals from active conflict zones, but they also bravely risked their safety to rescue animals from locations under military control, where access was strictly limited. Accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Police in Kharkiv, Dana and three officers ventured into a heavily militarised zone, the distant rumble of shelling a chilling reminder of the constant danger they faced. In one forested area, they rescued puppies near an abandoned horse shelter, whose former Ukrainian owner had fled, leaving behind the scent of hay and the faint echo of horses. They safely transported these puppies, along with other animals, away from the dangerous area, replacing their tiny whimpers with the sound of reassuring human voices.

For Dana, each rescue was a profound experience, revealing the resilience and kindness of people in the face of hardship. Ukrainian flags dotted a vast cemetery outside Kharkiv, each representing a soldier’s ultimate sacrifice. The sight made her admire those who support their country and animals despite the loss they witnessed.

Dana met Robert, whose shelter houses over 600 dogs, including many rescued from war zones. ROLDA provided vital food aid to Robert’s shelter, helping hundreds of animals. Dana saw the rescuers’ teamwork and sacrifice, realising how important collaboration, dedication, and resilience are to these missions.

Dana’s trip to Ukraine emphasises the vital role ROLDA plays and the importance of ongoing help. Every animal saved embodies hope and overcoming adversity. ROLDA continues to rescue animals, support communities, and celebrate those who resist during the conflict.