Race against time to halt rabies spread from Ukraine

Over the past two years operating along the Ukrainian front line, Khrystyna Drahomaretska has gained a veteran's understanding of the battle tactics employed by the invading Russian troops.
During the day, the 27-year-old explains, they will freely dispatch cheap kamikaze drones to kill anyone on sight. At night, however, the high-value drones equipped with hi-tech sensors are used more sparingly to target vehicles instead.
That was the calculation she made two weeks ago while conducting a daring night-time rescue operation a few hundred metres from the Russian positions near the city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region where Putin’s forces are currently pushing towards.
Mindful of the night vision drones, she ditched her van and crept towards her target on foot. But the enemy started firing anyway, with more than a dozen missiles launched towards her position. Hiding behind a copse of trees, one exploded nearby sending a knuckle-sized piece of shrapnel searing straight through her leg.
Khrystyna applied a tourniquet and was taken to a nearby army base before being transported back to a hospital in Kharkiv where thankfully she was told the damage was just muscle and tissue. “The doctors told me I should spend one month in hospital on a bed but I said that’s impossible,” Khrystyna says. In the end, she discharged herself after two days; her mission was too vital for her to rest.
That mission is not some clandestine military operation, but rescuing and treating pets. Khrystyna is part of a network of civilian volunteers risking life and limb to combat one of the lesser-known catastrophes of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but one that is rapidly mushrooming into a public health crisis that could cross borders.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 02, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 02, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden

Trump's irrational travel ban is an exercise in extremism
To borrow a famous phrase from another American president, no one should ever misunderestimate the capacity for idiocy of Donald J Trump.

'I wanted to be a singersongwriter like Billy Joel'
Disney composer Alan Menken has won more Oscars than anyone alive. As 'Hercules' the musical hits the West End, he speaks with Lydia Spencer-Elliott about finding the 'whoa'

Champion Swiatek toppled by late Sabalenka surge
The reign is over. It's a reality that will hit Iga Swiatek as brutally as a thumping forehand return from Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated the French Open champion 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 to reach her first Roland Garros final.

Briton held in Sri Lanka jail could wait months for bail
Charlotte May Lee accused of smuggling synthetic cannabis

Labour bans annual bonuses for six water company chiefs
Six water companies have been banned from paying bonuses to senior bosses, under new rules that come into force today.

Labour beats SNP in shock Hamilton by-election win
Labour recorded a shock victory in the Holyrood by-election last night, seizing the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat from the SNP.

Wiegman dismisses 'noise' around Lionesses squad
England head coach Sarina Wiegman 'really excited' by her Euro 2025 side despite much-publicised loss of senior trio

Those who could benefit from winter fuel U-turn
In a latest U-turn after months of backlash, Sir Keir Starmer's government has announced that more pensioners will receive the winter fuel allowance.

Boy and girl sentenced for killing of 80-year-old man
Bhim Kohli was found screaming out’ in pain near his home

James has talent to light up Euros... if her fitness allows
The past week hasn't exactly been an oasis of calm for the Lionesses. Mary Earps and Fran Kirby have retired from international football, Millie Bright withdrew from selection for Euro 2025.