President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented mine sniffing dog Patron and his owner with a medal on Sunday as recognition of their dedicated service since the country was invaded by Russia.
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The pint-size Jack Russell terrier has been credited with detecting over 200 explosives and preventing their detonation since the start of the war on Feb. 24, quickly becoming a canine symbol of Ukrainian patriotism.
Patron's owner, Myhailo Iliev, is a major in the country's Civil Protection Service.
The award was presented at a news conference in Kyiv with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in attendance. Patron, which means "bullet" in Russian, barked and wagged his tail, prompting laughter from the audience.
"Today, I want to award those Ukrainian heroes who are already clearing our land of mines. And together with our heroes, a wonderful little sapper – Patron – who helps not only to neutralize explosives but also to teach our children the necessary safety rules in areas where there is a mine threat," Zelenskyy said in a statement after the ceremony.
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