Ihor Klymenko recognises canine teams for their contribution to the safety and rescue of people during the war
Howard Buffett, the American philanthropist, visited the canine training centre together with the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. They talked to dog handlers from the National Guard, National Police, State Border Guard Service and State Emergency Service, as the experts shared their experience of service during the war and demonstrated the work of service dogs. Ihor Klymenko awarded the dog handlers for their contribution to rescue and search operations in the framework of dealing with the aftermath of enemy shelling in the country.
At the beginning of the meeting with the American businessman, philanthropist and founder of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Ihor Klymenko, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, expressed his gratitude to Howard Buffett and his foundation for their assistance in the development of canine training centres and the transfer of service dogs from the European countries to help with mine clearance, search for explosives and drugs, and search for missing civilians. Currently, 184 dogs received from the Howard Buffett Foundation serve in the NPU, and another 10 in the SESU.
"I am pleased that we have been joining our efforts for almost three years. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine performs important tasks both at the frontline and to stabilise the country. A secure environment after the war will be an indicator of our country's success. I would like to express our gratitude to you for being with us and I appreciate your personal contribution to the sustainability of our units," Ihor Klymenko said in his address.
At the canine training centre, employees of the State Border Guard Service, the National Guard, the National Police and the State Emergency Service spoke in detail about the specifics of their service, emphasising the important role of service dogs in ensuring security and saving lives during the war. Thanks to their keen sense of smell, endurance and skills, the four-legged assistants perform extremely important tasks. They work on the front line, in the rear, at checkpoints, and during de-mining, guard the state border, assist in rescue operations, search for victims under rubble after shelling, and provide security for important facilities.
"A service dog is always a faithful partner who contributes to our common goal of protecting the lives and health of citizens through his daily professional work and fearlessness," the dog handlers emphasise.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of service dogs in searching for explosives, weapons, drugs and missing people, the canine training center has set up special training locations, each as close as possible to real-life situations. Dogs of the National Guard of Ukraine detected explosives in vehicles, border guard dogs detected drugs in bags, rescuers trained dogs to search for mines and human traces, and police dogs worked at mine clearance sites, looking for explosives in the ground.
Therefore, during their visit to the dog training center, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and Howard Buffett were able to assess the results of such work and awarded the canine expert's teams for their dedication to service and for conducting rescue and search operations during the cleanup of the consequences of enemy shelling in Ukraine.
“I am addressing both the heads of services and all canine experts. Each of you is doing a tremendous job. This is what you are supposed to live for, love, and, of course, respond to. Every night and every day, in any weather, you go out and work. We appreciate you and praise your achievement,” said Ihor Klymenko.
It is symbolic that the awarding of the canine teams took place on the eve of World Philanthropist Day, which is celebrated on November 08. This day emphasises the importance of support, and Howard Buffett and his foundation's assistance to the canine units is a prime example of an important contribution to the future of the state.
"I understand perfectly well how much effort is put into training a dog. And I can feel the emotions that run through your veins when you see how effectively a dog does its job. Searching for people who, unfortunately, have become victims of russian aggression is a difficult task. And, of course, we must not forget about the danger that accompanies the task, in particular when searching for explosives or mines. So, for me, you are the embodiment of courage and resilience that represent your country," Howard Buffett addressed the dog handlers.
Apart from supporting the canine units, Ihor Klymenko and Howard Buffett also discussed a number of important social projects implemented by the Ministry.
The Minister pointed out one of the key areas of activity namely, the rehabilitation of soldiers, including the establishment of a Mental Healthcare Center, as well as the work of security and national-patriotic education lyceums, where 465 children of fallen and wounded defenders of Ukraine are currently studying.
Howard Buffett, the American businessman and philanthropist, has expressed his firm commitment to further support the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine by providing them with all the necessary assistance. The day before, students of the Kyiv Lyceum of Security and National Patriotic Education of the Ministry of Internal Affairs joined the Iron Squad social project, which is being implemented with the support of the Howard Buffett Foundation.
At the end of the meeting, Ihor Klymenko and Howard Buffett expressed their sincere gratitude to each other for their fruitful cooperation. They agreed to continue to communicate in order to keep meeting the needs of the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine aimed at strengthening security and rebuilding Ukraine.
For reference
Since the beginning of the year, sniffer dogs of the National Guard of Ukraine, currently 720 of them, have detected more than 16,000 rounds of ammunition, 1,105 grenades and more than 4 kilograms of drugs. The units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine have more than 1,000 sniffer dogs that have detected nearly 100 kilograms of drugs, 153 weapons, nearly 23,000 rounds of ammunition and 280 grenades, and detained thousands of people illegally crossing the border. As of today, the National Police of Ukraine has more than 900 dogs, which have made almost 13,000 hauls to the emergency scene since the beginning of the year, including more than 2,300 following mining alerts. They have found more than 2,500 explosive ordnance, 140 kilograms of explosives, more than 1,000 weapons, and more than 177,000 rounds of ammunition. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine currently has 68 dogs, which have been involved in rescue operations after russian attacked more than 100 times and in the search for explosive ordnance and ammunition during the demining operations more than 200 times.
Communications Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
