Picture: Instagram

Five lions have been rescued from Ukraine and brought to a sanctuary in Kent.

Sisters Amani and Lira – about three years old – were breed in captivity and used for photographs.

The other lions are Rori, Vanda and Yuna.

All five were found near the frontline in Ukraine, neglected and abandoned by their owners.

Yuna could not stand because of severe concussion caused by shell shock.

Rori, a three-year-old African male, was from a private menagerie.

It is thought he was used for illegal breeding.

Vanda was kept as a “family pet” in an unlit flat.

A spokesperson at the rescue centre said:

“The lions come from varying situations of neglect and abuse with four out of the five lions having never touched grass before – making their first steps out at The Lion Rescue Centre even more poignant.

“These beautiful cats have been severely neglected, confined to concrete enclosures, used for illegal breeding or kept as family pets.

“Their new habitats have been specially designed to provide each lion with the ideal environment to rest and recuperate.

“Each lion has individual needs due to their previous hardships, and Cam and his team will ensure they receive the physical and psychological care needed to recover from their ordeal.

“For example, Yuna’s environment has been designed to accommodate her neurological and co-ordination challenges, with no high platforms and a gentler slope to climb.”

The Lion Rescue Centre was opened at The Big Cat Sanctuary on Tuesday by the charity’s ambassador Paul Hollywood, the star of Bake Off.

A fundraising campaign collected £500,000 to build the centre for the lions.

Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary, said:

“We are so relieved to have these lions safe and settled in their forever home.

“Seeing their feet touch the grass for the first time in our state-of-the-art Lion Rescue Centre was an emotional moment for all involved.

“Nervous at first, all five cats are now starting to relax, play and explore their new habitat.”