10 Ukrainian pets that became famous during the war

The animals that have become famous during the war continue to uplift the spirits of Ukrainians on social media and diligently perform their duties.

According to "UP.Life", they rescue people, neutralize explosives, assist volunteers, and "tell" the stories of war to millions of followers. They are rightfully called mascot animals because the war has changed the lives of everyone, including these four-legged heroes.

Patron the dog

Patron gained fame in late March 2022 when a photo of him wearing a bulletproof vest was shared by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Readers dubbed him the "commander-in-chief of demining operations." The dog has helped neutralize numerous explosive devices.

Although Patron was initially expected to achieve different accomplishments, as a purebred Jack Russell Terrier gifted to a sapper's son with aspirations for show competitions, he still managed to make a name for himself, surpassing all other dogs.

Currently, Patron continues to fulfill his mission, receiving honorary awards, maintaining his own blog and TikTok, and even becoming the star of an animated series by the State Emergency Service about mine safety.

Stepan the cat

Hariv-based blogger Stepan the cat calls for the preservation of local culture and entertains not only Ukrainians but also international subscribers through his Instagram account.

Originally from North Saltivka, Stepan and his owner decided to leave their basement, which was under constant shelling, for a safer place. Stepan relocated to France but later returned to Lviv. Now, the cat finally resides happily in his hometown of Kharkiv.

Gloria the cat from Borodyanka

Rescued from a 7th-floor building in Borodyanka that was targeted by occupiers, Gloria the warrior cat (also known as "Shafa") was saved with the help of specialized equipment brought from another city by the State Emergency Service. Volunteers named the cat "Shafa" in honor of a famous surviving locker in Borodyanka.

The search for Gloria's owners turned into a real quest, with 12 different people claiming to be her family. Eventually, the true and only owner was found, providing pictures with her beloved pet and revealing that the cat's name is Gloria.

Marik the dog from Mariupol

Marik, the puppy, was taken in by Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, after being rescued from Mariupol. Marik has already become a "diplomat" and has interacted with foreign partners.

Chloe the cat

During the rocket attacks on Kyiv, Chloe the cat was sheltered with her owners in a subway station. Her famous photo was taken on the night of June 1, 2023.

Ukrainians noted that the cat simply embodies their thoughts because, as users wrote, "Right now, we are all a little bit like Chloe."

Nicole the dog

Nicole, the dog, assists railway workers in evacuating passengers from dangerous areas. The owner of the dog is a train conductor who found the puppy at the station. Since then, Nicole has become a faithful companion and colleague to the conductor. During evacuations, she provides comfort and psychological support, preventing stress and anxiety.

Naida the rescue shepherd

Naida, the diving rescue shepherd, works alongside rescuers from Cherkasy. This four-legged member is part of the search and rescue group of the emergency response unit of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service. Having quickly learned the necessary commands, Naida is trained to assist people in water-related emergencies. The "fluffy water patrol" reliably fulfills her duties.

Rini the dog

Rini, an Akita-Inu breed dog, waited for her owner for almost a month on the porch of their home in Makariv. Unfortunately, it was later discovered that her owner tragically perished during the occupation.

Rini refused to leave her spot despite numerous attempts by volunteers. Eventually, a new loving owner found out about Rini through social media and located the dog at her steadfast post. For several days, the woman brought treats to the faithful dog.

Bucha the Husky

Police officers found Bucha the dog in the liberated town of Bucha, formerly occupied by Russia. A patrol officer noticed the dog inside a bullet-riddled car, sleeping among the shards of glass.

After consulting with his wife, the officer decided to help the dog and take it home. The Husky was named Bucha in honor of the rescued town.

Baron the dog

A volunteer couple discovered Baron during one of their evacuations when they rescued a litter of puppies. Among the black puppies, one stood out with its shiny golden fur, capturing the hearts of the animal welfare advocates.

Now, the animal welfare organization UAnimals considers Baron as their mascot. Baron, along with his owners, helps evacuate animals from "hotspots."