Shelter dog Goldie dies of fear during Russian strike on Kyiv
Shelter dog Goldie dies of fear during Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine (photo: Gostomel Shelter)
As a result of Russia's attack on several districts of Kyiv on June 17, an animal at a shelter near the capital died, according to Maria Vronska, owner and director of the Gostomel Shelter.
What we know about Goldie's death
Goldie, a cheerful and beloved dog known to volunteers, died as a result of the heavy attack. She could not withstand the stress.
During the explosions, she panicked, lost consciousness, and never woke up.
According to Vronska, Goldie was one of many animals at the shelter who had survived a difficult past.
"During massive explosions, the animals get scared just like people do, and we can't calm or protect them all — there are around 700 of them in the shelter. As a result, we're faced with heartbreaking news like this," said the owner of Gostomel Shelter.
Goldie died from stress caused by the explosions (Photo: Gostomel Shelter)
How the war affects animals in shelters
Even in regions far from active combat, constant air raid sirens and explosions can lead to fatal outcomes for animals.
According to Maria, incidents like the one at Gostomel Shelter are not isolated. Continuous fear and psychological stress cause animals to fall ill, lose their appetite, and in some cases, die — even without sustaining physical injuries.
Volunteers and shelter staff appeal to everyone who cares: please don't forget those who are near us but can't protect themselves — the animals who have lost their homes, families, and sense of safety because of the war.
Each of them has their own difficult story: some were abandoned on the streets, others survived abuse or injuries, and some have never known the warmth of a loving home.
The shelter fights every day for their lives, trying to help them regain trust in people. But war, stress, and constant explosions take just as much from animals as they do from humans.
If you have the opportunity — give one of these animals a home where they can feel care, safety, and love. It's the most valuable gift you can give.
And if you're not able to adopt right now, you can support Gostomel Shelter with a donation. Even a small contribution can help provide food, medical care, and shelter for those who silently fight to survive every day.
The shelter urgently needs support (Photo: Gostomel Shelter)
Russia strikes Kyiv overnight: Key facts about the massive June 17 attack
On the night of June 17, 2025, Russia carried out one of its largest attacks on Ukraine in recent memory. According to preliminary reports, at least 440 drones and 32 missiles of various types were launched.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strike on Kyiv one of the most terrifying since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The capital suffered widespread destruction, initially recorded at 12 locations.
Later, Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, clarified that 27 sites across different districts of Kyiv were hit, including Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi, Obolonskyi, Pecherskyi, Podilskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, Solomianskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi.
Among the remnants found were fragments of a missile equipped with cluster munitions, which are designed to kill or injure people over a wide area. The strike also caused power outages in more than 1,000 buildings throughout Kyiv.
As of the morning of June 18, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported 24 people killed and 134 injured. Rescue operations are ongoing — particularly in the Solomianskyi district, where teams are still clearing rubble from a destroyed apartment building. The death toll may rise.
