<p>Ukrainian wildlife charity volunteers who had to store hibernating bats in their kitchen refrigerators during Russian bombing have set them free.</p><p>The Bats Ukraine team had to find a way to keep the creatures cool and dark so their hibernation wasn't interrupted early, while shelling continued in Kharkiv.</p><p>This week (22) they began their mission to release 93 of the rescued bats, which they recovered from a building site in Dnipro when Russia invaded.</p><p>The videos show many of the small bats being released by the team, as haunting air-raid sirens can be heard in the background.</p><p>A spokesperson for the rescue team said: “Immediately after we left the office our city was being heavily bombarded.</p><p>"But we are safe and alive, and took care of our bats on rehabilitation.</p><p>"Now the warm weather has finally come, we are releasing groups of bats each evening this week - they will easily find a way to the nearest forests.</p><p>"No living creature is safe now in this part of Ukraine.</p><p>"But for our bats it is the best option - to fly and to live."</p><p>Filmed 22nd March 2022.</p>
