Russian Bombing of Kharkiv Zoo Kills Hundreds of Animals

A Russian missile strike has devastated a zoo in Kharkiv, Ukraine, killing most of its birds and wounding several large animals. The attack on the Feldman Ecopark zoo occurred on the first day of 2026. A direct hit destroyed a veterinary hospital building where medical supplies, including animal tranquilizers, were stored. Initial reports indicate hundreds of birds perished. Lions and other large mammals sustained shrapnel wounds. A volunteer was hospitalized after the assault. Zoo staff are now struggling to care for surviving animals without critical medical supplies. The strike is part of a wider offensive on the city of Kharkiv, which has faced increased bombardment.