Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has given rise to a humanitarian crisis. More than 6.2 million people have fled Ukraine as a result of heavy shelling and fighting, and an additional 5.1 million people have been internally displaced.
But wars do not only inflict suffering on humans – animals suffer too. Research by the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center (the largest project for bat conservation, research and outreach in eastern Europe) has brought into focus the plight of bats in the war-damaged city of Kharkiv. Situated only 30km from the Russian border, Kharkiv has suffered severe damage from relentless shelling throughout the conflict.
