Dogs Of War: Ukrainian Soldiers Seek Comfort In Their Canine Companions On The Front Line

The bond between man’s best friend and Ukrainian soldiers takes on greater significance as they share the misery of war while serving on the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr of the 24th Brigade plays with a puppy in the trenches at the front line near the Ukrainian village of New York on April 4. War and dogs have a long history together, dating back to antiquity. Their roles have ranged from battle training to serving as scouts, sentinels, couriers, compassion dogs, and trackers.

A Ukrainian soldier from the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade poses for a picture with a dog in a shelter at their frontline position near Bakhmut on April 23. For many soldiers, the role of these furry mascots is one of comfort and emotional support.

A German shepherd named Bas accompanies Ukraine's "Edelweiss" mortar unit after their return from heavy fighting close to Bakhmut on April 14. The unit rescued the dog during a mission near Kyiv last summer, and Bas has traveled with them to different places along the front lines ever since. — A German shepherd named Bas accompanies Ukraine’s “Edelweiss” mortar unit after their return from heavy fighting close to Bakhmut on April 14. The unit rescued the dog during a mission near Kyiv last summer, and Bas has traveled with them to different places along the front lines ever since.

Ukrainian soldiers walk with their unit's dog in an undisclosed location near the frontline town of Kreminna on March 13. — Ukrainian soldiers walk with their unit’s dog in an undisclosed location near the frontline town of Kreminna on March 13.

A dog named Chip sits next to Ukrainian soldiers as they repair a tank near the frontline town of Bakhmut on January 20.

Yaroslav, 34, pets a dog while communicating target coordinates gleaned from drones to fellow soldiers near Bakhmut on December 1, 2022.

Ukrainian soldier Ivan pets a dog at a position on the front line in the Mykolayiv region on October 26, 2022.

Odin, a dog who lives with Ukrainian soldiers, relaxes next to an AK-74 assault rifle near the front line in the Mykolayiv region on October 21, 2022.

Ukrainian soldiers and a dog stand watch near their trench position outside Bakhmut on October 5, 2022.

A Ukrainian soldier plays with a dog in liberated territory in the Kharkiv region on September 12, 2022.

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