While Russian shelling continues to sow destruction across Ukraine, another shocking story unfolds within the walls of the besieged city. Not only are residents fleeing to save their lives — their pets are left abandoned on the streets, left to fend for themselves. However, there's no need to worry, as there are those who take responsibility for their fate — just don't ask the mayor of Konotop about it.

While global media focuses on reports of Russian attacks and human casualties, a quiet humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Konotop. More than 1,000 abandoned animals now roam the city streets. Of this shocking number, 200 have managed to find protection with the local 'Friends of Animals' organization.

"It usually starts the same way", relates one of the organization's volunteers, her voice trembling with emotion. "We arrive in the morning and find another dog tied to the door or a cat in a box. Sometimes there's a small note of apology, sometimes not. But always in the animals' eyes, there's the same look — of betrayal, of incomprehension".

Statistics tell a grim story: 107 dogs and 52 cats have found refuge with the organization. But these numbers aren't static — each day, more animals join the list of war's silent refugees. "We've stopped counting", says the volunteer sadly, "we just try to save everyone we can". To donate – click here

Reality in Konotop has transformed the once unthinkable into a sad daily occurrence. Residents, themselves struggling for economic survival under the fire of war, face an impossible choice. "We have nothing to eat ourselves," admits one resident who wished to remain anonymous, shame in his voice, "we thought maybe on the street, the dog would have a better chance of finding food."

This twisted logic, reflecting the depth of human desperation, becomes even more apparent when looking at the authorities' reaction — or rather, its absence.

"There must be a tender", declares Mayor Artem Semenikhin in response to repeated requests for help. This phrase, which might seem reasonable in normal times, becomes completely absurd when rockets are falling from the sky and lives hang in the balance. But Semenikhin doesn't stop at refusing help — he decides to add fuel to the fire.

"These are the methods of criminals, and they are criminals", he proclaims, referring to the organization's volunteers who work tirelessly, 24 hours a day, without compensation. This statement, demonstrating the enormous gap between reality on the ground and local authority perception, raises sharp questions about leadership quality in the besieged city.

Semenikhin sends messages to the 'Maakav' editorial office, indicating political pressure and manipulation, and systematically calls the volunteers 'criminals'. What exactly is the problem with their actions? Is saving animals considered a crime? How dare the mayor of Konotop blacken and damage the reputation of city residents without evidence or factual basis?

Semenikhin is fortunate to be in Konotop, Ukraine, rather than Israel, as in Israel he would have to answer for violating the law. While Ukraine aspires to join the European Union, the hooliganish behavior of mayors like Semenikhin diminishes its chances of acceptance.

It's important to emphasize that the resident is the sovereign who elected the government, and the government is obligated to serve the people. This principle is enshrined in the Ukrainian constitution.

According to Ukrainian laws, abandoning animals and animal cruelty are criminal offenses. However, in Konotop, like many other things, this law remains a dead letter. The local police, who should enforce the law, have never initiated an investigation into abandonment cases — even when they occurred right before their eyes.

Instead, the police themselves contact the organization when they encounter an abandoned animal. "They call us as if we're a city service," relates the volunteer, "but when we ask for a budget, they tell us there isn't one".

Caring for abandoned animals is a complex and expensive task. Sterilization, surgeries, veterinary treatment, flea drops, food — all of this costs enormous amounts of money, especially during wartime. The organization, existing solely on donations, struggles to continue its work.

"Previously, the mayor's office helped a little. But now there's no budget. It's as if the war canceled their moral responsibility too", recalls the volunteer wistfully.

Fear of rockets doesn't spare the animals either. "The dogs tremble every time an alarm sounds. Cats hide in the tiniest places they can find. They've experienced double trauma — first abandonment, and now bombardment", describes the volunteer.

Recently, when a Russian rocket hit near our facility, "we had to calm the animals for several hours," she relates. "Some still haven't recovered".

Videos about their dire situation, which the organization posted on social media, have reached Tel Aviv and gone viral. "This gives us hope. We hope that if more people learn what's happening here, maybe someone can help", says the volunteer to the 'Maakav' editorial staff.

But for now, the situation only worsens. Adoption rates are particularly low — dogs are hardly being taken, and even cats, who are usually adopted relatively easily, struggle to find new homes. To donate – click here

Despite all difficulties, the volunteers continue their mission. They work around the clock, handling every case that comes to them, and try to collect donations from all possible sources.

"We can't give up. Each animal we save is an entire world. And as long as there's even one animal that needs us, we'll continue fighting", the volunteer says resolutely.

The situation in Konotop raises complex questions about social responsibility during wartime, about local government's role in humanitarian crises, and about the fine line between survival and morality.

But above all, this is a story about human courage, about persistence in impossible conditions, and about the power of a small group of people to change a situation — even when all odds are against them.

While rockets continue to fall to earth and bureaucracy continues to create obstacles, the volunteers of "Friends of Animals" remain faithful to their noble mission. They are well aware that they are the last line of defense for hundreds of defenseless animals, and they carry this responsibility with heads held high — even if in splendid solitude.

The story of Konotop reminds us that war has many faces and victims of different kinds. Perhaps one day, when silence returns to the region, someone will remember to ask what became of those brave volunteers and the animals they saved.

For now, they continue their quiet struggle — not for glory or recognition, but simply because it's right. And perhaps this is what makes them the real heroes of this story.

The Inspector General and Ukrainian police declined to comment at this time.