President Kieu-Wolodymyr Zelensky presented a medal to Ukraine’s famous mine-detecting dog Patron and his owner on Sunday to honor his devoted service since the invasion of Russia.
The pint-sized Jack Russell Terrier, which has detected more than 200 explosives since the start of the war on February 24 and is said to have prevented the explosion, quickly became a symbol of Ukrainian patriotic dogs.
Zelenskyy won the award at a press conference in Kieu with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Patron bark and shook his tail, laughing at the audience. Trudeau tapped his pocket as if he was looking for a dog treat.
“Today I would like to confer to a Ukrainian hero who has already wiped out our mines. And with our hero, there is a mine threat as well as neutralizing explosives. Patron, a wonderful little engineer who helps teach children the safety rules needed in the area, “Zelensky said in a post-ceremony statement.
The award was also given to Myhailo Ilev, the owner of Patronage, a major in civil protection services.
By Tom Balmforth and Oleksandr Kozhukhar