The moment a Ukrainian family, including two dogs, was mowed down by Russian troops is captured on camera, with the son calling out, “Dad, please don’t die, I’m asking you!”
On February 25, Russian forces gunned shot the man in his Mercedes minivan, as well as one of his three dogs, in a heartbreaking video filmed by his son.
On Monday, Ukraine’s military forces released the tape, although it remained unclear who the individuals were.
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the deceased father has been named as Oleh Bulavenko, who had returned to his home to save his beloved dogs.
According to the news agency, a surviving dog refused to leave his owner’s body after the gunshot, which occurred when he and his son were escaping from the town of Ivankiv near Kyiv.
According to an English translation of the terrifying film from RFE, when the two men were attacked, the son, who has not been recognized, was heard yelling, “Get out and lie down.”
In the background, the dogs can be heard barking and crying.
During the terrifying attack, the youngster managed to hide, but his father was mauled by one of their three dogs.
“Dad! Dad!” they screamed. “Are you still standing there?” Before racing to the gravely injured man’s side to pull him away, the son yells.
Bulavenko groans as he is seen stretched out on the asphalt, “My foot is torn off.”
“Please, Dad, don’t die! I beg you!” In the heartbreaking footage, his son says.
Bulavenko later died as a result of his injuries.
This week, a second video was published online with the description “Russian military have slaughtered Ukrainian civilians and practically all of their pets.”
On the side of the road, another male was also seen lying prone.
The clip was shot amid tragic pictures of Ukrainians holding their pets as they try — but often fail — to take them with them as they flee the battlefield.