---
title: "Russian forces abandoned this dog, now he’s serving with Ukraine"
date: "2022-05-23"
modified: "2022-05-23"
authors:
  - name: "Miguel Ortiz"
    job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/russian-forces-abandoned-this-dog-now-hes-serving-with-ukraine/"
categories:
  - "Military News"
tags:
  - "Russia"
  - "Ukraine"
---

# Russian forces abandoned this dog, now he’s serving with Ukraine

![Two soldiers in green military uniforms and face coverings are crouching on a paved path in a park. They are posing with a German Shepherd dog sitting between them. One soldier holds the dog's leash, while the other holds a rifle. The background shows grass, trees, and some buildings.](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ukraine-Dog-Max-1.jpg>)

A 3-year-old Belgian Malinois named Max was found by the Mykolayiv Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine in Mykolayiv Oblast. Max's former owners, the Russian military, were identified by a camouflage collar issued to all Russian military dogs. Starving and left for dead, Max was taken in and nursed back to health by local Ukrainians. Now, he serves alongside Ukrainian forces as a minesweeping dog.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ukraine-Dog-Max-2.jpg>)
**Max served the Russians but now serves Ukraine (National Guard of Ukraine)**

Max was found by a local family who presented him to the Mykolayiv Regiment. "We’re very grateful to the family that sheltered Max and then offered \[him\] to our regiment. They could’ve sold him for a pretty penny, as he’s obviously a pedigree animal," said Guardsman Dmytro to Euromaidan Press. "From now on, Max will serve in our ranks, defend Ukraine and learn to bite off some Russian asses." Max has quickly become a favorite among the regiment and is treated like family.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ukraine-Dog-Max-4.jpg>)
**Max is learning to take orders in Ukrainian (National Guard of Ukraine)**

Although he was trained to obey Russian commands, Max is learning Ukrainian with his new handler. "Max is about three years old and in excellent physical shape. He understands all the basic commands," Max's handler, call sign "Riddick," told Euromaidan Press. "So far, he understands orders only in Russian, the language of the aggressor and enemy, but we’ve started giving him lessons in Ukrainian."

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ukraine-Dog-Max-3.jpg>)
**Max is getting plenty of love and attention from the Ukrainian Guardsmen (National Guard of Ukraine)**

Belgian Malinoises are popular military dogs who are prized for their bravery, athleticism, and intelligence. In fact, Belgian Malinoises accompanied special operators on the Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi raid and [Osama bin Laden raid](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/7-amazing-and-surreal-details-of-the-osama-bin-laden-raid/>). Other dogs are serving in Ukraine including Patron, a bomb-sniffing Jack Russell Terrier, who was [honored by President Zelenskyy with a medal](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/patron-the-bomb-sniffing-dog-honored-with-medal-by-president-zelenskyy/>).

## Author
Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-ortiz1495>)