How Russia uses a stolen raccoon for propaganda Switzerland as a role model for the Brexit Britons? You are joking!

The Russian troops are notorious for looting everything that is not nailed down in Ukraine. Washing machines in particular would have impressed the invaders. Not washing machines, but seven raccoons, two wolves and a llama were kidnapped from the local zoo along with other animals before Russian troops left Kherson. Most would stay in Crimea in the safari park Taigan of entrepreneur Oleg Zubkov.

Sobkov, a kind of Ukrainian Tiger King, keeps 80 lions and 50 tigers, but also giraffes, jaguars, pumas and leopards. A now-deleted video on YouTube shows Zubkov transporting various animals from Kherson under the guard of Russian soldiers. It was a temporary measure, he explained. Once Russia recaptures Kherson, the animals will be returned.

Meanwhile, one of the seven raccoons can’t laze around in the Crimean sun. A troop of paratroopers keep the raccoon as Kherson’s mascot, according to a report by a local branch of state broadcaster Rossiya 1. In the obvious propaganda post, the animal is referred to as a “fighter” that “looks out” in an ammunition pouch. On his Telegram channel (with more than 50,000 subscribers), the raccoon reports as an eyewitness from the front. He is protected and pampered.

At least in terms of equipment, the raccoon seems to fare better than many Russian soldiers: two small, tailored undershirts are proudly held in front of the cameras. She got the animal from the quartermaster. The blue-striped “Telnyashkas” are the trademark of several Russian units, including the paratroopers.

The raccoon has also been given a name. “Kherson” won from over 300 suggestions. There is a certain irony in the fact that a name has been chosen that commemorates the recent humiliation. Like the end of the propaganda film. The masked soldier bravely declares that “Kherson” motivates them to “further victories”.

Ukraine reacted to the propaganda film in its own way. A video is already circulating of a Russian POW asking the Russian government to exchange him for the raccoon. More humiliation is almost impossible.

(together)