Operation Kramatorsk
£56,853.72
Raised
1222
Donations
£50,000
Goal
Operation Kramatorsk: A Race Against Time
7 Kilometres.
That is all that separates the brave volunteers and hundreds of vulnerable animals in Kramatorsk, from the frontlines of the Russian advancement. In this city, the sounds of war are no longer distant echoes — they are a constant, terrifying reality.
Among those standing their ground is the Drooh Animal Shelter and also the incredible Ksenia, who supports a handful of dedicated local shelters and independent rescuers across Kramatorsk. For years, they have been the last line of defence for the animals of the Donbas. But as the conflict intensifies, the mission has shifted from survival to evacuation.
We have been here before. Back in autumn and winter 2023, your absolutely incredible generosity and support allowed the Nowzad Team to transform Drooh. Together, we funded new kennelling to get as many dogs as we could off chains and repaired the perimeter fencing that had been obliterated by a Russian missile strike.
Together, we built a sanctuary. But now, as the conflict intensifies, we must dismantle what we can and drive these animals to safety.
A Bridge to the West
Pen and the team are already on the ground, working alongside Ksenia and local teams to orchestrate a massive logistics operation. We have already begun the first of several high-stakes "rescue runs," successfully evacuating the first groups of dogs on a gruelling 9-hour journey to a partner shelter in Smila, Western Ukraine.
Our goal is to evacuate every possible animal to the safety of the West, where they can eventually find loving families far from the reach of artillery. We aren’t just moving animals; we are moving infrastructure. We are dismantling as much of the kennel components and transportable housing as we can, to rebuild temporary sanctuaries at our destination sites.
A Heartbreaking Choice
We must be honest about the stakes. For those animals whose backgrounds or behaviours make rehoming or long-distance transport nearly impossible, the reality is grim. If the city falls, they face a high risk of being shot on-site by invading forces.
To give them even a fighting chance, the volunteers may be forced to make the agonising decision to release them into the woods or streets to survive on their instincts. It is a desperate alternative, but one that offers a glimmer of hope that staying behind does not. We are working tirelessly to ensure as few animals as possible are left to that fate.
How You Can Help
We need to raise £50,000 immediately to fund this multi-shelter evacuation. These funds will directly cover:-
- Temporary kennelling: Building safe spaces at our partner shelters in the West to house the influx of arrivals.
- Medical supplies and crates: Ensuring Drooh Animal Shelter, Ksenia and other rescuers have the equipment to keep every dog and cat stable and secure during the long journeys.
- Transport and fuel: For multiple 18-hour round trips through active conflict zones.
If the tide miraculously turns and Kramatorsk remains safe, we will bring them home. But we simply cannot wait to find out.
We did it in Afghanistan with Operation Ark; we are doing it now in Ukraine.
RW
Ruth Williams
donated
£10
🏴🇺🇦thank you for your incredible work
A
Ann
donated
£10.87
Stay safe and thanks for what you do.
A
Alexandra
donated
£5.69
S
Sandra
donated
£52.32
Thank you so much for what you de to help these beautiful, defenceless animals. You are wonderful people x
T
TATANA
donated
£25
Hope this little helps to success! Keep up the good work x
RE
Rosemarie Edwards
donated
£52.32
Good Luck with moving all the dear animals xx
J
Jane
donated
£10.62
I am in awe of the work you are doing to help these poor souls. Thank you.
LN
Lisa Noore
donated
£10.87
DS
Dawn Smith
donated
£10
C
Clare
donated
£10.62
Thank you for helping xxx
C
Carsten
Well done! Stay safe.
R
R and D
donated
£21
Have supported Pen before. Good luck to you all and thank you for all you all do for animals.
MG
Mrs G Warhurst
donated
£30
Youre bravery and hard work is admired hope this small amount can help a little stay safe
BB
Belinda Bavin
donated
£100
K
Katrina
Another donation; this is from my elderly mum x
RW
R Williams
donated
£10.62
SOLIDARITY FROM WALES! I WILL BE THINKING OF YOU ALL & HOPING YOU GET ALL THE DOGS & CATS OUT, WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT ANY DOWN, OR WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE THEM TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES IN THE WOODS. I DO NOT ENVY THE RISKS & THE HARD CHOICES YOU HAVE TO MAKE EACH DAY.. IT MUST BE SO UPSETTING FOR YOU.. I only wish I could afford to donate more. I will try to donate again when I am able. I wondered if you work with Maryna at Shelter Friend Ukraine? I notice someone has commrnted on your Facebook page about the terrible situation she & the 100 odd dogs she is supporting in Ukraine & I saw the most awful post on their Facebook page with a vidro of a poor dog (1 of many having been brought in by military in recent days) who has many bullets in him & is in urgent need of surgery & veterinary care. I would deeply like to make a donation towards the dog's care, but I can't find details of how to safely makea donation from the Uk. If I knew you were jn contact with these volunteers caring for this & thr other dogs through Shelter Friend Ukraine, then I would be grateful if you coukd let me know, & I can either make an extra donation to yourselves to give them, or if you know how I can safely donate to them if you are not supporting/working with them, I'd be grateful. I'm hoping Nowzad is supporting Shelter Friend Ukraine, as they are clearly overwhelmed by trying to care for the 100 dogs they are supporting & thr growing numbers needing urgent surgery (& they are trying to rehome as many dogs as possible to get them out of the war zone) as they are still being bombed & shelled. Here is the link to the post I was referring to: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4216825565294699&id=1425951216241648 Thank you all again for your dedication, courage & bravery, in Ukraine, Afghanistan & the UK.. I only wish I was well enough to be there physically by your sides.. Solidarity brothers & sisters... Fraternally, Ruth Williams & The Cimla Kitties (Neath)
S
Sylvia
donated
£30
Thank you for all that you are doing to protect these poor animals. Stay safe
J
Jane
donated
£25
You are The A Team for animals! A is for angels 😇
L
Lorraine
With love to all of you and all the animals - with many blessings Lorraine
PM
Pia Maynard
donated
£31.39
Thank you for everything you're doing to help the animals
LB
Lynn Brymer
donated
£31.39
You're all so brave. Thank you so so much for being such heroes. Sending lots of love, Lynn
SL
Sarah Lambert
donated
£50
I admire your work so much . Keep going !
A
aj
donated
£21
Good luck. hope everything goes well for you all. love and hugs aj xxxx
J
Jean
Good luck to the brave people of Ukraine.
M
Margaret
donated
£259.84
your dedication moves me to tears xx
Anonymous
donated
£30
From a UK Veteran
T
This
donated
£20
Thank you for your tireless work to support these innocence animals.
FD
Fran Derry
donated
£26.19
L
Lisa
donated
£25
MS
marc smith
donated
£10.87
Godspeed 🙏