The soldiers of Ukraine’s 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade knew combat medic Dr. Olena Yeryomenko’s rule: “Until I leave food for every animal, we won’t go further.”

Even as drones circled overhead and shells exploded around her squadron in the war-torn eastern region, “Leleka”—as she was affectionately known—still scooped up every frightened, injured or starving animal she could find and left food for those who might be cowering in bombed-out buildings until she could come back for them. As soon as she had a moment’s break from treating the humans who needed her, she raced back to the animals who did.

On June 29, she had just helped evacuate 42 dogs from Sumy and was rushing to aid a wounded soldier when drone fire took her life.

I was one of the lucky people who got to witness........

© The Korea Times