DRAMATIC photos show the moment a mother bear fought off a predator to protect her terrified cubs.
Photographer Denis Budkov, 36, captured a male bear approaching the mum just before she unleashed a ferocious attack on him.
The mother bear launches a ferocious attack on the male predatorCredit: Caters News Agency
She lashed out at the male as he approached her cubsCredit: Caters News Agency
The cubs, clearly terrified, looked on helplessly as their mother savaged the attacker.
The images were taken in Kronotsky Nature Reserve in eastern Russia.
Denis said: “The bears are pretty friendly there as they are used to people already.
“They understand that people won’t do any harm to them.
“Bears still have quite complicated relations in their society as these photos show.
“I think it was some kind of territorial dispute.
“Thankfully, the conflict only lasts a couple of minutes and none of the bears were harmed.”
The terrified cubs cling to a fallen tree, terrified as the male bear approachesCredit: Caters News Agency
Photographer Denis Budkov, 36, captured the incredible momentCredit: Caters News Agency
The mother bear protects her cubsCredit: Caters News Agency
She lunges at the male bearCredit: Caters News Agency
The attack continues, the mother clearly winning the fightCredit: Caters News Agency
She forces him to the groundCredit: Caters News Agency
As the cubs watch on, helplessCredit: Caters News Agency