19 April 2024,   08:25
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Ukraine’s mine sniffing dog Patron awarded medal by Zelensky

President of Ukraine presented a medal to Ukraine’s famous miner sniffing dog patron and his owner on Sunday in recognition of their dedicated service since the Russian invasion.

The pint-sized Jack Russell Terrier, credited with detecting more than 200 explosives and stopping their detonation since the start of the war on February 24, has quickly become a canine symbol of Ukrainian patriotism.

Volodymyr Zelensky presented the award with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a news conference in Kyiv. The patron barked and waved his tail, prompting laughter from the audience. Trudeau patted his pockets as if looking for a dog treat.

“Today, I want to reward the Ukrainian heroes who are already clearing our land of mines. And together with our heroes, a wonderful little sapper – the Guardian – who helps not only to neutralize explosives, but also teaches our children the necessary safety rules in areas where there is a mine risk”, - Zelensky said.

The award also went to the patron’s owner, Myhello Iliev, a major in the Civil Defense Service.

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