Ukraine’s president coos over a puppy, starting a new volley in his war of visuals against Russia

In a surprising image provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was photographed holding an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy named Freya in Kyiv, Ukraine. The unusual sight occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, and showcased the president cooing over the three-month-old puppy, handed to him by U.S. former boxer Terence Crawford. This heartwarming scene took place against the backdrop of Ukraine’s ongoing four-year war against Russia.

Crawford, a well-known supporter of Ukraine and a fan of American pit bull terriers, presented the puppy to Zelenskyy during a visit to the president’s office. The gesture aimed to symbolize resilience and protection, with the puppy's name, Freya, paying homage to Ukraine’s proposed missile defense system with European allies, Freyja, and Zelenskyy's deceased pet, Freyja.

The warm interaction between Zelenskyy and the puppy offered a brief respite from the grim realities of war and political turmoil. The president appeared genuinely fond of the floppy pup, smiling and cooing into its fur. The puppy, Freya, appeared to relax, letting her paws dangle from the president's arms. Vadym Danylchenko, an adviser to the minister of youth and sports in Ukraine, confirmed that Zelenskyy accepted Freya as a gift.