Russians Take Kherson’s Llama and Raccoon Away in a Pullout

• Video footage appears to show the owner a Crimea-based Zoo taking animals from another zoo.
• According to the owner of the Crimea Zoo, it was part of a humanitarian mission.
• He was charged with theft by Ukraine, and the defense minister took to Twitter to say, “Steal one raccoon and you will die.”

Social media videos show a Russian-Ukrainian businessman stealing animals from a Kherson zoo as Russian troops withdraw from the city.

Anton Gerashchenko (an adviser to the Ukrainian minister for internal affairs) tweeted a video showing a llama being loaded onto an automobile by men wearing fatigues. Oleg Zubkov, the businessman in question, also grabs a raccoon and puts it in a cage.

—Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 13, 2022

Zubkov, who is known as “Lion Man”, manages a private Zoo called Taigan Lion Park in Russian occupied Crimea. His assistants and seven raccoons, two female Wolfs, peacocks and a llama were all taken by Zubkov and his associates. The Washington Post.

Zubkov posted the videos on YouTube, but the clips were taken down on Sunday, according to The Post. Insider could not verify the date and location of the videos, nor if Russian men were involved in the handling of the animals.

According to The Post Zubkov stated that Russian-appointed authorities in Crimea made arrangements for him travel to Kherson to pick up the animals.

Many Other VideosA separate YouTube channel run by Taigan Lion Park shows the animals arriving at the private Zoo as Russian media interview Zubkov.

“This is a humanitarian effort for us. These animals have no zoological significance to us. We have our own pack of wolves. According to The Post, Zubkov claimed that we have 75 raccoons in one of these videos.

Radio Free Europe’s Zubkov claimed that he would return Kherson’s animals safely to their owners if necessary. Krym.Realii division, which reports about news in Crimea.

The Defense Ministry of Ukraine however accused Zubkov, however, of theft. It tweeted Zubkov’s holding of the raccoon clip, captioning it: “Steal a Raccoon and Die.”

—Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) November 13, 2022

Insider reached Zubkov for comment but he did not respond immediately.

Ukraine has repeatedly charged Russian troops with looting property. Jewelry and cars, washing machines and toys for children..

One case involved the Kremlin-appointed Kherson head Moscow claimed to have seized the remainsPrince Grigory Aleksandrovich potemkin, Catherine’s lover, was found in a crypt in Ukraine.