Ukrainians befuddled as Russian soldiers steal raccoon from zoo

Reports emerged over the weekend suggesting Russian paratroopers retreating from Kherson had stolen some of the animals kept at the local zoo, including the raccoon. New footage seemingly taken by Russian soldiers showed the animal being kept inside the trenches outside the Ukrainian city, with the troops saying they are feeding the small raccoon with fresh fish and sweet fruits. The baby raccoon appeared to be shy and timid as it clung to one of the Russian soldiers. Since the circulation of the video, people online have been condemning the theft of the baby animal.The Russian soldier addressed the camera and said: “The baby lives with us paratroopers.”Every day we feed him fresh fish, nuts and sweet grapes.”He lives with us in the trench, we’re guarding him.”The footage not only shocked Ukrainians but since being posted online has drawn reactions from the wider global community.JUST IN: British solider, 24, shot in head and killed during live training exercise, inquest told Stolen Raccoon rests on Russian soldier (Image: @HersonEnot/@WarTranslated) Stolen raccoon (Image: @HersonEnot/@WarTranslated)The kidnapping of the raccoon left social media users befuddled over the reasons for the theft and resulted in a barrage of memes being created to mock the Russians.@Rockrel983 wrote: “Can’t wait for the movie, Saving-Private-Raccoon.”@Kikiatcookies commented: “Seriously? Are they trying to imitate the heartwarming videos of the UA? Poor raccoon. Hope he can escape somehow.”@Sat11T said: “I believe there’s more than one stolen racoon. I don’t think it’s the same one. In the trench could be this one.”READ MORE: Kherson woman digs up buried Ukraine flag during the cities liberation celebrations@Moira_Fella added: “Poor little trash panda, lived in captivity before and now in a trench, must be super terrified.”@SaintJavelin wrote: “They are holding him hostage. This makes me so pissed. RETURN OUR RACCOON NOW OR IT’LL BE HIMARS O’CLOCK!”@AndrewKnight226 commented: “The whole war in Ukraine is tragic of course. But something about Russians kidnapping a terrified racoon just kind of f**** me off… Like… WHY?@Chhendricks added: “They are Psychopaths. Jesus. #FreeTheRacoon.”DON’T MISS: Zelensky declares Kherson liberation as ‘beginning of the end’ of the war despite warnings[INSIGHT]Princess Margaret sparked ‘berserk’ reaction after being caught in ‘intimate moment’ [REVEAL]Rishi Sunak confronts Russia at G20 as Putin set to ‘hear the chorus of global opposition’ [SPOTLIGHT] Stolen Raccoon from a nearby Ukrainian zoo (Image: @HersonEnot/@WarTranslated)In a recent TV report from Espreso TV, volunteer workers claimed that Russian troops had eaten zoo animals in Ukraine.The volunteer worker said: “Many animals were eaten by orcs [Russians]. Locals said they ate kangaroos, we haven’t found the bones yet because there are so many of them, they are scattered all over the zoo.”There was a bison, it was running around the village, and then it was killed and eaten.”Several donkeys, the ostriches were eaten. Some escaped, and the ponies are now running around the territory, we are evacuating them.”READ NEXTPlanet Earth has ‘occasion to celebrate’ as population hits historic 8 billion peopleUkrainian MasterChef cooks traditional meals for those on 10-hour train to see ZelenskyCost of living crisis hits supermarket shelves as food product prices double in two yearsMichael Gove vows to ban ‘ugly new homes’ declaring war on ‘restrictive’ building firmsUS CIA director meets with Putin’s spy chief to discuss nuclear weapons and prisoners