A car mechanic is back home after a dangerous mission to evacuate more than 50 animals including a pregnant cow from the Ukrainian frontline.
Danny Ward, who experienced a Russian drone attack during the complex and daring operation, was on his fourth solo trip to Kramatorsk to deliver a vehicle and humanitarian aid to the region.
Danny drove from the Scottish Highlands to deliver a 12-passenger minibus – named Gandalf – donated by his employer the John Clark Motor Group.
Equipped with a wheelchair lift, it will be used to evacuate civilians and pets from what he describes as “one of the most dangerous places on the planet” amid the ongoing war following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Danny, who lives in Kirkhill, is married to Latvian-born Agita, and has a stepdaughter, Nanija, and a daughter, Billie.
He made his first trip to Kramatorsk and the Donetsk region in spring 2025 when he delivered Nessie the Nissan to the 5th Assault Brigade along with humanitarian aid.
In his second trip, he drove Buzzer the Nissan and then sacrificed last Christmas at home with his family to return to Dontesk with a 4×4 supplied by his employer.
The latest vehicle was named Gandalf after his contacts in Kramatorsk said travelling the route to the Donbas would be like driving to the border of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings.
“At first, the roads were manageable but they rapidly deteriorated,” Danny said. “Some sections were literally being rebuilt as we drove over them. Others looked like the surface of the moon.”
On route to Kramatorsk, Danny had been asked if he could help with a highly complicated evacuation and relocation of a family and more than 50 – mainly rescue – animals to a safer home.
They included one heavily-pregnant cow, five goats, 12 dogs, 17 cats, many chickens and one pigeon.
View 4 ImagesCats were among the 50 animals rescued by Danny.(Image: Cover Images)
Following his arrival in the city, Danny was taken to a simple apartment but had a disrupted night due to multiple detonations although the local team said it had been a quiet night!
“The next morning, we unloaded Gandalf for various groups arriving to collect aid,” he said.
“I also got to see the animals that were being prepared for evacuation.
“Looking at these sad creatures, all I wanted to do was to pack every single animal into the van and drive them all home to safety with me.”
After Gandalf was loaded with furniture, personal belongings, building materials and memories at the evacuation point, a wave of fear hit the area.
“The distinct, high-pitched buzz of a Russian FPV drone was right over our heads,” Danny recalled.
“Immediately, small arms fire erupted as local defenders tried to shoot the threat out of the sky.
“We moved quickly to position our vehicles for a rapid getaway, ultimately deciding to return the next day to finish loading.
“Back at the apartment, I was thoroughly exhausted. But between the wailing air raid sirens and the thud of explosions, sleep was hard to come by.”
The mission resumed the next day and finally a convoy was formed with the slowest vehicle carrying the cow and goats at the front.
“It was a gruelling, hot trip on roads that challenge you at the best of times,” Danny said.
“We pulled over periodically to check on the animal‘s welfare.
View 4 ImagesKramatorsk has been bombarded by Russian forces since the war broke out in 2022.(Image: Cover Images)
“The journey felt endless. Finally, in the dead of night, we arrived at the family’s new home.
“Walking around the property and seeing the expressions on their faces change from sheer trepidation to genuine excitement about the future made every single mile worth it.”
During his time in Kramatorsk, Danny also observed the immense differences since his last visit at Christmas.
“The scale of devastation was significantly worse,” he said.
“The sheer number of buildings that are now completely uninhabitable is staggering.
“Looking at these massive concrete structures, literally torn apart and thrown around by Russian explosives, leaves you physically repulsed.
“You can see people’s personal belongings dangling from the wreckage.
“You can’t help but picture the families who were inside them – living in the exact same style of apartment that I was sleeping in.
“Knowing how small those rooms are, you realise there is nowhere to run to get away from the flying glass, the falling debris, and the blast wave.”
View 4 ImagesMany buildings have been severely damaged or destroyed.(Image: Cover Images)
But he was astonished to discover the vet clinic was still open.
“Operating out of a shattered building! It is precisely this indomitable attitude and unyielding commitment that makes me love this city more every time I visit,” he said.
He was also impressed by the council workers cutting the grass and keeping it neat and tidy in a determined bid to maintain some aspects of normality for their beautiful city despite the constant threat of attack.
“They are the unsung heroes, alongside the road crews who repair the asphalt as traffic drives over it, and the workers erecting and maintaining the drone netting over the highways to give drivers that extra sliver of safety,” he said.
Danny also paid tribute to a team of mechanics and engineers he met who modify vehicles, fabricate ground drones and build rescue equipment.
“It was fantastic to see – a real eye-opener into brilliant, homegrown technology, born out of necessity,” he said.
Asking them what they needed most, they said heavy-duty 330V generators, heavy-duty chains to help protect vehicles against magnetic mines and battery-operated bikes and scooters to allow soldiers to travel silently and reduce their visual/thermal signature.
While in Ukraine, Danny also went to the capital, Kyiv, to deliver redundant technical equipment donated by the University of the Highlands and Islands to contacts of the charity, Highlands for Ukraine.
Describing Ukraine as an amazing country filled with extraordinary people, he maintained there was tangible hope that by the end of August, it would be actively reclaiming its territory and liberating its cities – even if they were currently reduced to piles of rubble.
Danny, who thanked all his supporters, has set up a JustGiving page and also urged people wanting to help Ukraine with practical donations such as medical, hygiene products or old laptops and technical equipment to contact Highlands for Ukraine.
“I profoundly hope for a day when I can travel to Kramatorsk simply to visit friends and help rebuild this magnificent place,” he reflected.
“It breaks your heart to witness the human cost of this war – the physical devastation of cities, and the total destruction of lives.
“The sea of flags in the cemeteries shows you the true price being paid.
“It isn’t financial; it is paid in human life, both young and old, military and civilian.”
You can donate to Danny’s fundraiser here.
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