A passionate collaboration between Ukrainian and international artists resulted in this sublime cinematic anthology of short-film type vignettes that the filmmakers fused into a breath-taking mosaic about the ecological disaster taking place in the Ukraine because of the Putin invasion which has proliferated war crimes according to the International Criminal Court. ANIMALS IN WAR resonates with a range of artistic styles accentuating the overlooked ecological impact of the crime against humanity war caused by Vladimir Putin’s egregious and immoral invasion of Ukraine. Note: Distinguished, internationally known director-actor-activist Sean Penn is a member of this collaboration.
At the time of the start of filming the anthology, the Russian aggression of Ukraine murdered more than 10 million animals, 6 million domestic animals, 3.5 million birds, more than 50,000 dolphins in the Black Sea. More than 80 species of animals in Ukraine are on the verge of extinction, and 20 species have already disappeared.
As of mid‑2025, the number of civilians killed by Russia’s war machine is officially over 13,000 although the true figure is widely believed to be significantly higher.
OHCHR (U.N. Human Rights Office) data shows that as of 30 April 2025, 13,134 civilians have been killed, 31,867 injured, since Russia’s full-scale invasion began 24 February, 2022. OHCHR notes that the actual numbers are almost certainly higher. These are *verified* deaths, i.e., victims confirmed by UN monitoring teams. The **true toll is likely much higher,** especially in regions under intense and hard-to-access combat, as well as occupied areas where documentation is limited.
Part 2: Film Review
ANIMALS IN WAR: An anthology of cinematic vignettes similar to film-movie shorts, ranging from just-plain-beautiful to breath taking beautiful, inspired by true stories of the ecological crisis taking place in Ukraine because of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The vignettes are woven into a visual mosaic whose at times mesmerizing affect cannot be denied.
{News update of sorts: According to July 2,2025, news reports, Putin is on the attack and the TACO White House has suspended military support to Ukraine. See more below.***}
The anthology is an alarm that needs to be heard around the world. The seven vignettes being showcased in the anthology feature a particular animal as a central figure of each story; ANIMALS IN WAR radiates for many reasons and one is the range of artistic styles showing the war’s overlooked ecological crisis.
The warring and slaughtering scenes are soul wrenching. The verisimilitude of the vignettes can make many in an audience feel like they are flies on the war, experiencing war’s impactful vicissitudes without enduring the consequences of being right there.
A staff reviewer of the Tribeca Fest 2025 in NYC where ANIMALS IN WAR recently screened said the film was a call for action. The film generates a feeling that can help audiences better understand the resilience and stalwartness of Ukrainians standing their ground against Putin, who, because of a tacit when not direct complicity of America’s TACO President, is increasing the intensity of him as an existential threat to other countries in the region.
***This reviewer is using what he calls His AI Oracle to answer the question: What’s behind the recent pause in U.S. weapon shipments to Ukraine, Why has the White House recently stopped supplying Ukraine with weapons to defend itself against Putin’s recent attacks on July 3:
- **Pentagon stockpile concerns**
A June–July 2025 Pentagon review—led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and policy chief Elbridge Colby—found that key munitions stockpiles (Patriot interceptors, 155 mm artillery shells, HIMARS/GMLRS rockets, Hellfire and Stinger missiles, grenade launchers, AIM air-to-air missiles, among others) had dropped to dangerously low levels due to prolonged commitments in Ukraine, the Middle East, and homeland defense needs.
- **Prioritizing domestic readiness and global coverage**
The pause is being framed as part of strategic “America First” planning—ensuring the U.S. maintains sufficient defense capabilities for its own homeland and global obligations (e.g., Asia, Middle East, NATO allies) .
- **White House statement**
Spokesperson Anna Kelly stated the suspension aims to “put America’s interests first” following a comprehensive review of U.S. military aid.
- **Impact for Ukraine**
This pause comes as Russia has launched record drone and missile barrages (over 5,000 drones in June alone), raising fears that Ukraine’s air defenses are now exposed ([euronews.com][2]). Kyiv has summoned U.S. diplomats to clarify and stressed the suspension “would only encourage the aggressor”.
- **Policy shift under new administration**
The Trump administration, in office since March 2025, has shifted priorities, pushing Europe and NATO to share more burden and focusing U.S. resources on strategic deterrence against China and elsewhere.
Summary
The White House temporarily halted some pre-approved weapons deliveries as of early July 2025 alleging it wanted to reassess and rebuild its U.S. military forces critical stockpiles. While it’s portrayed as a strategic re-balancing for U.S. defense readiness, the move arrives at a time of intensified Russian attacks, leaving Ukraine and its other allies anxious over the impact on Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Cast & Credits
Directed by Myroslav Slaboshpitskiy
Other Directors: Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi, Yuliia Shashkova, Maksym Tuzov, Oleksii Mamedov, Sviatoslav Kostiuk, Ivan Sautkin, Andrii Lidahovskyi
Director of Opening Episode, Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi
Producers: Oleksiy Makukhin, Oleg Kokhan
Screenwriters: Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi, Yuliia Shashkova, Maksym Tuzov, Oleksii Mamedov, Sviatoslav Kostiuk, Ivan Sautkin, Andrii Lidahovskyi
Cinematographers: Byron Werner, Yurii Gruzinov, Lev Kostenko, Oleksandr Roshchyn, Volodymyr ”Vova” Ivanov, Yuriy Barsuk
Editors: Oleksiy Shamin, Oliver Neumann
Composers: Dmytro Gordon, Roman Vyshnevskiy, Oleksandr Kohanivskiy
Co-Producer Igor: Dovgal
Key Cast: Sean Penn
Cast: Sean Penn, Maryna Koshkina, Olha Korotyayeva, Andrii Lidahovskyi, Andrii Isayenko