Two Ukrainian zookeepers who worked heroically to save animals were murdered by Russian soldiers, their heartbroken colleagues have said.
Vladimir Putin's forces are accused of shooting the pair at the Feldman Ecopark zoo in Kharkiv.
They had been reported missing on March 7, but friends had hoped they had fled as Russia bombarded Ukraine's second largest city.
Their bodies were discovered barricaded in a back room after they stayed back to feed the animals, it was confirmed today.
Zoo bosses have called for those responsible for killing the "wonderful and courageous" workers - who have not been named - to be held responsible.
It comes just days after keepers warned animals such as lions, tigers and bears might have to be euthanised as bombing meant they could escape.
But thanks to an incredible response by zoo workers, animals were moved an incredible 500 miles across the war-torn country to Odessa.
Today's statement said: "War brings bad news.
"We have received confirmation that two of our employees who went missing in early March have died.
"When the war started, they stayed in the Ecopark and helped to feed the animals. We arrived at the Ecopark on March 7 and did not find them there.
"We searched for them for a long time, hooked up law enforcement officers. Until the last, we had been hoping that nothing irremediable had happened, and they were able to survive.
"But yesterday we received confirmation that their bodies had been found."
The heart-wrenchng statement continued: "Our guys were shot by the enemies, and their bodies had been barricaded in the back room.
"We'll cherish the blessed memory of these wonderful and courageous people. Sincere condolences to their families and friends. We believe that inhumans who have committed this will definitely be punished!"
