Ukrainian wildlife charity volunteers who had to store hibernating bats in their kitchen refrigerators during Russian bombing have set them free.

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.

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.

The videos show many of the small bats being released by the team, as haunting air-raid sirens can be heard in the background.

A spokesperson for the rescue team said: “Immediately after we left the office our city was being heavily bombarded.

"But we are safe and alive, and took care of our bats on rehabilitation.

"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.

"No living creature is safe now in this part of Ukraine.

"But for our bats it is the best option - to fly and to live."

Filmed 22nd March 2022.