Meet Patron, the brave pooch who has cleared almost 90 explosive devices since Russia invaded Ukraine, saving countless lives and avoiding further bloodshed.

Newsflash obtained the footage from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the country’s civil defence and rescue agency, on 19th March.

The video was accompanied by the text: “News from Patron! Our militant dog – the mascot of Chernihiv pyrotechnicians continues to serve!

“Since the beginning of the war, he and SES sappers have cleared almost 90 explosive devices.

“Thank you, friend, for your tireless work!”

The video shows the adorable pooch hopping onto his human colleague’s lap in the passenger seat of their work car and ends with the diminutive dog in action in the field.

Russia has been accused of using illegal and fearsomely destructive weapons against not only soldiers but also civilians in Ukraine since it launched its invasion on 24th February.

Many governments have condemned Russia’s use of thermobaric weapons and cluster bombs, which will feature in the investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court.

The United Nations has confirmed 902 civilian deaths during the invasion so far. However, the real figure is believed to be in the thousands.

Russia has occupied territory in the north, east and south of Ukraine, but has so far failed to take its largest cities, such as Kyiv and Kharkiv, in part due to the strength and determination of the Ukrainian resistance, which the Kremlin is believed to have underestimated.