Canadian volunteer Jesse Adams, who rescued animals and helped people in Ukraine, has been killed by a Russian drone strike while evacuating animals in Donetsk Oblast.
Source: the Animal Rescue Kharkiv community
Details: A Russian FPV drone struck Jesse's vehicle.
Jesse founded the RainCoast Dog Rescue Society, an organisation dedicated to rescuing and rehoming animals. In Ukraine, he helped evacuate animals and assist residents of frontline settlements.
"When someone travels halfway across the world to work alongside you in some of the most challenging conditions, it means more than words can express. Thanks to Jesse, hundreds of animals are alive today," Ukrainian volunteers said.
A few days before his death, Jesse wrote that volunteers had rescued 80 dogs and cats in Kramatorsk in a single day. He urged people not to forget the people and animals in Ukraine who need help.
Jesse wrote: " These poor animals do not understand war and are simply innocent victims of another country invading Ukraine. Each day more and more innocent civilians and animals are injured or killed by drones, bombs, and missile attacks.
Some of these animals owners were killed, some are being evacuated to be reunited with their families to a safer region of Ukraine, some have been asked to be rehomed, and others are strays struggling to survive in a place that causes a lot damage and suffering.
It breaks my heart that we even have to do this type of work, but it is my privilege and hono u r to be a small part of helping these animals reach a better life for themselves and their families, or to be adopted into new families. "
On 25 October, Jesse was preparing another group of animals for evacuation. As soon as the animals had been loaded into the vehicle, a Russian drone attacked it. The strike hit the windscreen, leaving the man with severe injuries.
He was taken to the local hospital straight away. Doctors performed resuscitation efforts and emergency surgery. However, they were unable to save him.
The Animal Rescue Kharkiv community said: "Jesse, it was a great honour for us to work alongside you. We will always remember you as a kind, compassionate and truly extraordinary person. We will miss you dearly.
Our heartfelt condolences go to everyone who knew and loved Jesse. We are grateful for the time we spent with him, for his courage and for every life he helped us save."
Background: In July, animal rescue volunteer Olha Kuzmenko was killed in Druzhkivka, Donetsk Oblast, when a guided aerial bomb struck the city.
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