President Volodymyr Zelensky has regularly concluded his nightly wartime speeches by announcing state awards to Ukrainian soldiers. On Sunday, he honored perhaps the country’s smallest fighter – a small dog named Patron.
Patron, whose name means “ammunition” in Ukrainian, helps detect Russian mines and explosives in the northeastern city of Chernihiv and acts as a mascot for the country’s State Emergency Service. country.
Mr Zelensky said the dog had found more than 200 explosive devices and was taught how to make fireworks by its owner, Mykhailo Iliev of the Civil Protection Service.
Patron’s popularity may be another facet of Ukraine’s efforts to control the narrative of the war with Ukraine. viral messaging – experts have said that dramatic wartime stories are an important part of the country’s information strategy. On the Facebook page of SES Ukraine, where they shared updates on Patron’s work, his video put on a vest and snuggled into the lap of a serving soldier who had been seen hundreds of thousands of times.
A clip with the same scene is share to twitter an hour later by Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications – a government agency set up to combat Russian disinformation to “develop proactive narratives” and “strengthen Ukraine’s image” ” — and has garnered nearly 900,000 views.
Patron is loved in Ukraine and beyond, he has inspired many forms fanart in his honor. He is loved by children and helps them understand safety rules in areas with landmine threats, Mr. Zelensky said as he presented the prize in the capital Kyiv. Informing the public about the dangers of landmines is an ongoing effort by officials in Chernihiv and other areas following reports that retreating Russian forces have left. buried earth mines and rigged grand jury bombings across large swaths of the country.
As well as receiving his state award on Sunday, Patron also met Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, who was on an unannounced visit to the country, and patted his pocket during the ceremony in an effort clear to locate. The dog is “extremely delighted to meet a true friend of Ukraine,” SES reported“Though Mr. Trudeau couldn’t find Patron’s favorite cheese.”
