The animal behaved like a human, the photographer said.
Danylo Pavlov is a Ukrainian documentary photographer. He traveled to the flooded areas of Kherson Oblast on the same day that the Russians blew up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. His touching image of a dog holding onto the leg of a volunteer spread through Ukrainian and international media. The photo is considered a symbol of this tragedy.
On the night of June 11th, the photographer returned from his business trip. Danylo Pavlov shared with TSN.ua about the scale of the disaster he witnessed in southern Ukraine with his own eyes. And also what is known about the further fate of the rescued animal.
You recently returned from the flooded Kherson region. What did you see there, what was the scale of the tragedy?
"I returned yesterday, almost towards the night. I believe this is the largest disaster impacting nature, a huge area, and the environment since the beginning of the war. The scale is truly staggering. I'm uncertain about what lies ahead because the water is starting to recede, and an unpleasant odor is present. You can see dead animals and birds there. Yesterday, we arrived at the flooded area of “Ostriv”. There are numerous oil stains on the water, and it smells of gasoline. The water is also contaminated.
How did the rescue operation take place?
The rescue operation took place under Russian shelling. It's incredibly infuriating; there's simply no strength left to watch. How can anyone be so inhumane? It feels like they keep hitting a new low each time. They shelled the point where people were being transported, where the State Emergency Service tent was set up. Elderly women who couldn't walk were being transported there from the flooded residential area, which consists of numerous multi-story buildings and private sectors. It is a large area that is completely submerged.
What was the most difficult?
Constantly witnessing human suffering. It deeply affects one's morale, and perhaps that is the hardest part. When you see people saying their goodbyes, not knowing where to go. People lost everything they had gained completely at once. They don't even have documents because everything has sunk. The confusion in people's eyes is very difficult to witness. When someone has lost loved ones or can't make contact because they are left somewhere at the “Ostriv”. There is no communication.
How was the evacuation carried out?
There was no electricity, for example, and communication was partially lost. Some people had their phones discharged, so they couldn't be reached. People come to the shore and say that their relatives are there. They request that someone checks it, because the individuals need to be evacuated. Additionally, there is a lack of drinking water despite there being plenty of water around.
Under what circumstances was the photo taken with the dog holding onto the volunteer's leg? Do you know what the fate of the animal is?
There were many different people involved in the situation: the police, rescuers from the State Emergency Service and volunteers. In the boat captured in the photo, there is a police officer, as you can see, and one of the volunteers. Unfortunately, I cannot say for certain what has happened to the dog at this moment because the volunteers, specifically involved in the evacuation of animals, were waiting with baskets on the shore. I don't know if the animals will go to a shelter or elsewhere.
The dog.. he hugged the leg. It was such a scene, you know, it reminded me of something so human. The animal behaved like a person. It deeply emotionally affected me. But it would be more accurate to say that the dog grabbed onto the person's leg because he spent a long time in the water, and his hind legs were not functioning well. It could be due to the cold water or simply because he had been swimming for a long time and was exhausted.
He struggled to stand on his legs, but it was very difficult for him. Then he was helped a bit on the shore. After that, we just moved on from that point to continue searching for more stories.
Let's note that the man being held by the dog in the photo is named Ruslan. He is a volunteer from a Kharkiv-based organization involved in rescuing and evacuating animals from the war zone.
The photo of Danylo Pavlov has been published not only in Ukrainian and international media but also shared in the Instagram story of the star of the TV series "Charmed," American actress Shannen Doherty. She shared a post from a charitable organization that is engaged in animal rescue. The celebrity called on people not to remain indifferent and to help Ukrainians overcome the consequences of the actions of Russian occupiers.
Explosion at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant: What is the situation in Kherson Oblast now?
During the night of June 6, the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was blown up by the Russian army. As a result of the dam destruction, dozens of settlements were flooded. People and animals found themselves trapped in the water and had to be evacuated.
As of Monday, June 12, the average flooding level is 3.18 meters. According to the Kherson Regional Military Administration, all settlements on the right bank of the river are experiencing a decrease in water levels. In some places, it has receded by almost a meter.
However, 3,801 houses in 32 settlements remain flooded. Some roads have been washed away, and crossings are submerged. Reeds and silt were brought to the surface.
The shelling of the region continues. For example, on June 11, the Russian army shelled peaceful settlements in Kherson region 26 times. The Regional Military Administration reports that the occupiers fired 132 shells from artillery, mortars, “Grad” rocket launchers, aircraft, and drones. Kherson was attacked three times, with eight shells fired at the city. Russian military attacked residential areas of settlements in the region. Due to Russian aggression, three people have been killed, and 12 have been injured.
Read also:
- "Scorched earth tactics": The Ministry of Defense explained the consequences that blowing up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station will have for Russia
- The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant bombing: people in the Dnipropetrovsk region are collecting rainwater
- The destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant: the Verkhovna Rada has calculated a significant amount of damages
- The biggest eco-disaster since Chernobyl: what dreadful consequences for all living beings were caused by blowing up the hydroelectric power plant