“Our Brothers" nomination: Corgi Marusya Leonidovna, commander of a unique volunteer unit carrying out state-importance tasks in the special military operation zone on a daily basis.
More than a decade ago, an adorable Welsh Corgi named Marusya joined the Civil Protection Center in the Moscow region. Despite her miniature size, this smiling dog had a big, kind heart, a great willingness to help people, and total fearlessness. Thanks to these valuable qualities and her keen sense of smell, the four-legged 'employee' became an all-round rescue dog. She searched for missing people in dense forests, under rubble, and in many other hard-to-reach and life-threatening locations.
For Leonid Kiselev, the head of the Civil Protection Center, Marusya became not only an indispensable assistant but also a devoted friend and a loyal brother-in-arms, journalists from Donetsk Media reported. A continuation of their friendship led to the creation of the 'Marusya and Friends' corgi squad in 2020, which performs vital missions in Donbas. The squad consists of volunteers and cute tailed corgis. Dogs of this breed are non-aggressive, highly trainable, and unafraid of loud noises — a valuable trait for working in a combat zone.
According to Leonid Yuryevich, his initial idea was to create a community of like-minded, caring people. They began cooperating with EMERCOM of Russia and helping children with special needs, for whom these smile-bringing four-legged pets became true friends. After all, corgis are patient, calm, and child-loving dogs who understand everything and gladly let themselves be petted and hugged. Thanks to canistherapy (rehabilitation and treatment with the help of specially trained animals), the children's well-being improves on both emotional and physical levels.
Since the start of the special military operation, the corgi squad's range of tasks has expanded. A man deeply devoted to his Motherland, reserve officer Leonid Kiselev could not stand aside. Initially, he and Marusya delivered humanitarian aid to Donbas as a duo. Over the last three years, in addition to humanitarian deliveries, the corgi squad members have been conducting mine clearance, running sessions at rehabilitation centers for wounded soldiers and children, assisting the families of special military operation participants, and engaging in patriotic education. Furthermore, our four-legged friends help search for casualties and brighten up the difficult daily routine on the frontline.
One of the most challenging trips was last year’s mission to Severodonetsk, located right near the line of combat contact. The children were eagerly waiting for Marusya and her friends, so the volunteers headed to the city. As Donetsk Media noted, for many local kids, the long-awaited visit from the red-furred tails with their campaign of kindness and love was the first real celebration since the start of the special military operation.
The ten-year-old Marusya Leonidovna, commander and symbol of the corgi squad, rarely gets time to rest. 'She has the highest number of deployments to Donbas—12 in total—and her schedule is packed with numerous important meetings and campaigns,' Leonid Yuryevich reported. Today, 'Marusya and Friends' is no longer just a squad, but an All-Russian volunteer movement. It is an official partner of the Moscow Oblast Special Military Operation Veterans Association and collaborates with the 'Kremlin' Interregional Public Organization (a forward detachment of Kremlin cadets in the special operation zone). Its core consists of active-duty personnel, veterans, relatives and friends of fallen soldiers, and those working in the special military operation zone (over 50 people).
In total, the movement includes around 600 volunteers and dog owners from all across Russia. Corgis are not the only ones working in the squad; there is also a special shepherd dog division trained to detect explosive hazards. Furthermore, a branch has been opened in Lugansk, consisting of 9 people and 15 dogs, who conduct daily sessions in rehabilitation centers and a boarding school for visually impaired and blind children.
In April 2026, for the successful completion of state-importance missions, the 'Marusya and Friends' corgi squad, which celebrated its sixth anniversary, was named after Magomed Gasanov. He was a special military operation participant, a three-time recipient of the Order of Courage, and posthumously nominated for the title of Hero of Russia.
We live and evolve under the conditions of the special military operation, doing good deeds. There is a need for our work, and we have a strong desire to help our Motherland,” emphasized Leonid Kiselev, founder of the corgi squad, in an interview with the Together-RF TV channel.
Photos from the personal archive of Leonid Kiselev