VIDEO: Ukrainian Firefighters Save Cat Trapped Under Collapsed Building, Salute National Spirit

Ukrainian firefighters rescued a kitten from under the rubble of a collapsed building in Kharkiv on March 16. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Zenger)

Ukrainian first responders rescued a cat trapped in the rubble of a destroyed building.

The footage was shared on social media by the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine on March 16.

The SES said the cat was found in the debris of a damaged building in Kharkiv.

The SES said: “What distinguishes us, Ukrainians — a bright and good nation — from the ‘Russian measure’ that cynically destroys our cities and kills our people?

“Yes, everything. Absolutely everything distinguishes us. They do not regret sending their soldiers as meat to a certain terrible death. And our guys even feel sorry for the cat that was hurt by the wreckage of a building, which still needs to be dug up. Under fire.”

Ukrainian firefighters celebrated a national spirit that is willing to rescue a kitten, even when under fire. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Zenger)

The SES said: “Fearless warriors of light with a good soul, this cat lost its owners and one of nine lives during another vile rocket attack on Kharkiv.”

However, the story had a happy ending, after first responders found a loving owner for the homeless animal.

“Our guys did not leave it. The cat was taken away and given to a caring woman who promised to take care of him,” the SES said.

“This is one little story of a great Ukraine. Our story.”

The United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague issued a ruling on March 16 ordering Russia to immediately suspend military operations in Ukraine. The ruling was a result of a suit filed by Ukraine on Feb. 27, “accusing Russia of manipulating the concept of genocide to justify its military aggression.”

The U.N. said: “Although the ICJ’s verdicts are binding, news reports questioned whether Moscow would abide by the ruling, and the court has no direct means of enforcing them.”

In this handout provided by the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICJ), public hearings take place on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by the Ukraine in the case concerning Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation), held under the presidency of Judge Joan E. Donoghue, President of the Court, on the first day of hearings at the Peace Palace on March 7, 2022 in The Hague, The Netherlands. Oral arguments were presented by Ukraine. Ukraine is petitioning the ICJ to classify Russia’s invasion as a genocide and issue an injunction under the UN Convention against Genocide. (Frank van Beek/ICJ via Getty Images)

Russia did not to participate in the court’s oral proceedings. It presented a document that said the court lacks jurisdiction and requested that it “refrain from indicating provisional measures and to remove the case from its list.”

In a tweet posted shortly after the ruling, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that the majority decision “fully reinforces my repeated appeals for peace.”

The Kremlin reacted with anger after U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” for the first time on March 16 while answering a journalist’s question. The Kremlin called the remark “unforgivable rhetoric.”

Russia’s war on Ukraine is now in its 22nd day.

Edited by Fern Siegel and Kristen Butler