Rescued Owls from Ukrainian Defense Ministry Find New Home in Kyiv Zoo

On August 1, 2024, representatives from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR) delivered two rescued owlets to the Kyiv Zoo, where they will now reside in a specially designed aviary.

The owls, named Arei and Magura, were rescued by soldiers of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During a combat mission near the village of Liptsi in the Kharkiv region, the “Achilles” company, specializing in unmanned attack aircraft, discovered the baby owls in a house that had been destroyed by shelling on liberated territory.

The owlets were found caged, hungry, and exhausted, but were successfully evacuated from the combat zone by the soldiers.

“They saved two young owls who would have perished without the intervention of Ukrainian defenders. Our soldiers are not only saving Ukrainian lives but also those of our smaller, voiceless brothers,” said Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Owls are a symbol of the Military Intelligence of Ukraine, and the soldiers of the 92nd Brigade entrusted the rescued birds to Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Military Intelligence Service at the Ukrainian Military Academy. He decided that Arei and Magura should find a new home at the Kyiv Zoo.

“This decision reflects General Budanov’s belief that this should be a shared joy. Ukrainian children, especially, will now have the chance to interact with these Ukrainian owls,” Andriy Yusov added.

The representative from the HUR expressed gratitude to the zoo staff, who have made rehabilitating animals evacuated from the front line a key part of their mission.

“I’m very pleased that our team successfully handed over these animals to us. They will be well cared for—100%. We rehabilitate and adapt animals, doing everything possible, even in these challenging times, to ensure their well-being,” said Kyrylo Trantin, the general director of the Kyiv Zoo.

The emblem of HUR is an owl clutching a sword that pierces the territory of Russia. In contrast, the Russian military intelligence has chosen a bat as its symbol.

Notably, an owl carrying a bat is featured in a painting in Kyrylo Budanov’s office.