Sunday, May 8, President Volodymr Zelenskyy acknowledged multiple key figures in the Russian invasion of Ukraine with state honors. Among them was Patron — the Ukrainian bomb-sniffing dog that has now become a national hero.

As Ukraine continues the fight against Russian forces, military specialists play a pivotal role in protecting citizens.

One of them is Patron — a Jack Russell terrier that has been detecting explosive devices throughout the war.

Over the weekend, Patron was decorated with a medal of courage for his service. President Zelenskyy led the ceremony, which took place in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Medal of courage for Patron, the Ukrainian bomb-sniffing dog

To date, the bomb-sniffing dog — whose Ukrainian name translates to “cartridge” or “ammo” — has discovered hundreds of life-threatening objects.

In addition, the four-legged sapper (i.e. military engineer) is leading awareness, safety, and education among children. With Patron’s help, kids in Ukraine can better identify these devices and prevent direct contact.

“In the presence of Mr. Prime Minister, I awarded our sappers today. In particular, a small but very famous sapper — Patron. A dog who helps clean our land from the traces of the occupiers. And who also helps teach children mine safety. Due to the Russian invaders, this is now one of the most urgent tasks — to teach children to recognize and avoid explosive objects,” Zelenskyy shared in a post-ceremony statement published on the official website of the President of Ukraine.

The same day, Myhailo Iliev — Patron’s owner and Civil Protection Service major — also received an award from President Zelenskyy.

Before the official recognition, hundreds of thousands of people already admired Patron, both online and offline. Throughout the past few months, videos of the Ukrainian bomb-sniffing dog have gone viral on social media and in the news.

Moving forward, national hero Patron will continue to serve his country and protect the people of Ukraine.

Featured image source: Patron / Instagram

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