President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has presented Ukraine’s famous mine sniffing dog Patron with a medal to recognise their dedicated service since Russia’s invasion. The pint-size Jack Russell terrier has been credited with detecting more than 200 explosives and preventing their detonation since the start of the war on February 24, quickly becoming a canine symbol of Ukrainian patriotism.
Zelenskyy announced the award at a news conference in Kyiv on Sunday with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Reuters reported. Patron barked and wagged his tail, prompting laughter from the audience. Trudeau patted his pockets as though looking for a dog treat. The award also went to Patron’s owner, a major in the Civil Protection Service, Myhailo Iliev.