Dogs are a visible part of Ukraine’s war effort. They join assault units on the front and help detect mines and explosives. Some provide comfort to veterans. Others linger at checkpoints and gas stations, welcoming human contact and treats with wagging tails.

But the dogs of the “Antares” Pavlohrad canine unit are unique.

Antares is the only officially commissioned search-and-rescue team in Ukraine, combining trained dogs and civilian volunteers to recover both living people and remains. They crisscross the front lines searching for the casualties of the war, where expectations are sometimes held by the thinnest thread.

Why We Wrote This

Russia’s war on Ukraine has left many people unaccounted for, which is where the “Antares” Pavlohrad search-and-rescue canine unit helps.…