Beyond the battlefield: veterinary professionals reveal the hidden impact of Russia's full-scale invasion on animal welfare in Ukraine

Introduction Armed conflict can compromise animal welfare through direct injury, displacement, disrupted veterinary services, and economic hardship, yet systematic evidence from veterinary professionals remains limited. This study assessed perceived changes in animal welfare in Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Methods An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted from March 12 to June 5, 2026. Primary analyses included 119 veterinary professionals who had practiced in Ukraine both before and after the invasion. Survey responses were examined descriptively and across four geographic regions using the Five Domains Model of animal welfare; open-ended responses provided additional context. Results Compared with the pre-invasion period, respondents frequently reported increases in noise-related fear or phobia (98/109, 89.9%), anxiety or hypervigilance (96/109, 88.1%), separation-related distress (92/106, 86.8%), financial constraints limiting veterinary care (76/110, 69.1%), conflict-related injuries (65/93, 69.9%), and delayed presentation of chronic disease (72/111, 64.9%). Overall, 71 of 119 respondents (59.7%) perceived animal welfare as worse or much worse. Regional associations were identified for conflict-related injuries, roaming-related injuries, noise-related fear, separation-related distress, and overall perceived welfare change. After adjustment for practice setting and species group, respondents in Kyiv Region had higher odds of reporting worsened animal welfare than those in Central Ukraine (adjusted odds ratio 6.29; p = 0.004). Owner financial hardship (104/119, 87.4%), displacement (73/119, 61.3%), and increased stray or abandoned animals (69/119, 58.0%) were the most frequently identified contributing factors. Discussion These findings suggest that veterinary professionals perceived widespread, multidimensional welfare challenges extending beyond direct conflict-related injuries. Maintaining access to veterinary care, supporting displaced animals and the veterinary workforce, and integrating animal welfare into humanitarian preparedness warrant greater attention. Findings should be interpreted in light of the non-probability sampling method, retrospective perceptions, and exploratory regional comparisons.