Ukraine Updates May 12, 2026 © Animal Rescue Kharkiv For animals left behind, the violence in Ukraine is terrifying. Explosions shatter the quiet of once-familiar neighborhoods, buildings collapse, and the streets they once roamed are suddenly filled with smoke and debris. Simone Eisenbeiss never wanted to chase danger. But at just 23 years old, the longtime PETA Germany member and dedicated vegan animal advocate had already seen that sometimes doing what was right pushed her out of her comfort zone. She had faced fear before with calm and discipline, fighting alongside Captain Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd to defend marine animals from harm. And when she saw the pictures of one of the Ukraine war’s least visible tragedies—the animals left behind when families were forced to flee with only what they could carry—she knew she couldn’t sit idly by. Two years ago, Simone joined the PETA-supported Animal Rescue Kharkiv teams, risking their lives to reach animals trapped along the 800-mile battlefield frontline.…