Jack Russell, Patron, becomes Ukrainian war hero

This pint-sized dog may be only two years old, but he has earned himself a cult following thanks to his hard work saving lives.

Patron has earned a dedicated global following. Picture: Instagram @patron_dsns

Originally bought as a pet, the life of Patron the Ukrainian Jack Russell was turned upside down when Russia invaded the country on February 24.

Instead of days snuggled with his owner, two-year-old Patron (which means “cartridge” or “shell” in Ukraine) was trained to sniff out bombs, missiles and other explosive weapons.

To date he has sniffed out more than 150 devices, and saved countless lives in the process.

Patron has sniffed out more than 150 devices since Russia invaded Ukraine. Picture: Instagram @patron_dsns

Dressed in his signature State Emergency Service’s vest, Patron works with his owner Misha, from Chernihiv, northern Ukraine, and has appeared on the social media accounts of the country’s SES, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

Misha originally bought Patron from a colleague as a gift for his son, however he was formally trained to find traces of gunpowder around a month into the invasion. Once he’s detected the scent, Patron alerts Misha, who is then able to defuse the explosive.

“[Patron] works 24/7, as does a group of pyrotechnicians, and it will take about a year-and-a-half to clean up the city,” Misha told US breakfast show, Today.

“He can inspire anyone with his appearance and eyes.”

The canine can be easily identified by his signature vest. Picture: Instagram @patron_dsns

The little dog’s energy is so infectious that he’s even found an enthusiastic international following, with a line of merchandise which includes stickers on Red Bubble and T-shirts from Support Ukraine.

The Jack Russell is one of more than 600 de-miners working across Ukraine to dismantle the mines, bombs and missiles left by Russia soldiers.

Patron has earned a worldwide following. Picture: Instagram @patron_dsns

Patron’s Instagram boasts more than 187,000 followers, with his dedicated fans sharing drawings of him.

Jack Russells are one of the best dog breeds at detecting bombs thanks to their strong sense of smell and background as a hunting dog. Their lightweight build also means they aren’t likely to set off the explosions.

Other breeds suited to the job include German shepherds, labrador retrievers and Belgian malinoises (also known as Belgian shepherds).