Volunteers release hundreds of bats in twilight event near Kyiv

In the twilight over a nature park on the outskirts of Kyiv, a crowd of more than 1,000 spectators erupted in cheers as volunteers carefully released bats into the spring night sky. Children, families, off-duty soldiers, and bat enthusiasts—including a few in Gothic attire—watched in wonder as the small mammals took flight.

The Saturday evening event marked one of several bat releases organized throughout Ukraine to coincide with the arrival of spring. Hundreds of these flying mammals, many rescued from war-ravaged eastern regions of the country, were given a new chance at freedom.

“This is important for us as an organization because these are on a red list of endangered animals. Preserving them is very important,” explained Anastasiia Vovk, a volunteer with the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center, which coordinated the release.

All 28 bat species found in Ukraine are legally protected due to their declining populations, making conservation efforts particularly crucial during wartime. The country sits on a significant east European migratory route for these mammals, adding to their ecological importance.

For many attendees, the gathering offered a welcome respite from Ukraine’s harsh realities. After enduring a winter of sub-zero temperatures, nightly Russian drone and missile attacks, and widespread power outages, the event provided a rare opportunity for normal family activities.

“Life goes on despite the war,” said Oleksii Beliaiev, a 54-year-old Kyiv resident who attended with his family. Beliaiev, who runs a small printing business while volunteering for army projects, added, “The war is the main thing right now, but there has to be something else as well.”

Children wearing bat-themed shirts and hats watched eagerly as volunteers fed mealworms to the bats using tweezers before releasing them. Some youngsters were even allowed to don protective gloves and handle the small creatures themselves, creating educational moments amidst the celebration.

The ongoing conflict has severely impacted Ukraine’s wildlife alongside its human population. Buildings destroyed by shelling have eliminated crucial bat habitats, while the constant explosions cause immense stress to these sensitive creatures.

“In winter, bats hibernate, and if they are disturbed, they can die. They reproduce slowly—one or two offspring per year—so populations recover very slowly,” explained Alona Shulenko, who led Saturday’s release event. “As natural hibernation sites disappear, bats move into cities, into cracks in buildings and balconies. But repairs or destruction of these places can kill entire colonies.”

The Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center reports having rescued more than 30,000 bats in total, including 4,000 during the past winter alone. These numbers highlight the scale of wildlife disruption caused by the ongoing military conflict.

The center’s work represents a small but meaningful effort to maintain ecological balance even as the country faces existential challenges. Their dedication extends beyond mere conservation—it symbolizes Ukrainians’ determination to preserve normalcy and protect their natural heritage despite overwhelming circumstances.

“We are all living in wartime, and everyone has their own struggles,” Shulenko reflected. “But we are doing what we know best. If we stop what we are doing, thousands of bats will die.”

As Ukraine continues to navigate the complex realities of war, these moments of conservation and community connection offer brief glimpses of hope—reminders that protecting the vulnerable, whether human or animal, remains a priority even in the darkest times.