Dogs save lives of lost boys by keeping them warm in minus 6C forest

The pair got lost while walking their dogs in a forest in Sverdlovsk region. The dogs - one called Lysya - spotted a squirrel and gave chase. 

The boys followed the dogs but in the process lost their bearings. 

When they failed to return, their parents alerted the police and a huge search swung into action including Liza Alert squad, a group which unites volunteers to find lost children. 

Some 200 were involved in the search which also involved the Emergencies Ministry. 

Rescuers spotted the boys’ tracks and showed that the pair had walked in circles at some points, looking for a way out of the forest.

They found a place where the they had spent the night - with the snow trampled. 

Finally, some 30km from their town of Kushva, they were spotted by a helicopter pilot. 

He threw them chocolates and a note telling them to stay in the same spot. 

Then they were rescued by snowmobile. 

Both suffered frostbite on their feet, but it could have been worse but for the dogs. 

The animals stayed with them and kept them warm at night.

The night was milder than usual which also helped save the children. 

Chief rescuer Leonid Demchenko said: 'The children did not light a fire, as they did not have matches with them. 

'The dogs helped them to warm up. 

'At night, one of the boys slept, and the second was awake and periodically woke the other, so that he did not freeze.'

Irina Luchnikova, Evgeny’s mother, posted her thanks to the rescuers for finding her son.