More than 500 service dogs in the Armed Forces of Ukraine clear mines, patrol sites, and guard facilities. In 2025, they inspected 1,800+ hectares and found 695 explosives. Read how these dogs are becoming vital to Ukraine's defense.

Ukraine's elite service dogs take on deadlier roles in war zones

Service dogs in the Armed Forces of Ukraine inspect an area the size of a small Ukrainian city each year, according to the Public Affairs Command of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

More than 500 service dogs are currently deployed in canine teams across the Armed Forces of Ukraine, primarily for demining operations in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions.

With their acute sense of smell, they can detect explosives effectively, even under difficult conditions where machinery may not deliver results.

In addition to demining, the dogs are also used to guard and patrol strategic facilities. In 2025, canine teams of the Support Forces inspected more than 1,800 hectares, as well as hundreds of sites and premises, and detected 695 explosive objects, helping save civilian lives.

The command noted that the work of canine teams has become even more dangerous due to the active use of FPV drones and remote mining.

As a result, the dogs are being equipped with protective gear, including goggles, footwear, and tactical vests.

Today, a service dog is no longer viewed as a supporting resource, but as a full-fledged 'warrior' of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Demand for such dogs is expected to keep rising, as they will play a vital role in clearing mine-contaminated land across Ukraine after the end of active combat.

The increased operational role of service dogs is also mirrored by upgrades in other Ukrainian units, as Ukraine's border guard service has rolled out NATO-standard protective gear for its service dogs.

The equipment was presented in footage featuring a dog named Zhigan, whose new boots are designed to protect paws during operational tasks.