Ukraine: 'Missing' animal rescue man says staying put

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 4 - The owner of Italia Animal Rescue, Andrea Cisternino, who was feared to be missing after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has posted on Facebook that he is safe. But for the time being, he "will be going nowhere." Cisternino, who has over 75,000 followers on social media, cares for over 400 rescued animals outside of the Ukraine capital, Kyiv.
    "I will die here for my animals… I have to think about saving an animal refuge and its 400 guests who deserve to be protected at any cost," he posted on Facebook.
    His posts also include numerous photos and videos of Russian troop planes flying over his sanctuary.
    Despite power outages and limited communication, Cisternino and his followers try to post regular updates on the animals' safety. He told Euronews that he "did not expect this would happen. For the first time in his life he discovered the smell of gunpowder." Originally a fashion photographer from Italy, Cisternino married a Ukrainian woman and moved to the countryside near the capital. He has dedicated his life to "speaking up for those who have no voice," he posted on Instagram.
    "They're shooting, unfortunately this is the situation. This is a sudden and incomprehensible war," he told Euronews. (ANSA).