A dog named Basta has spent about a year accompanying Russian servicemen on combat missions and helping them detect approaching Ukrainian drones before the soldiers can hear them, according to a Russian soldier with the call sign Morgen.

Morgen brought Basta with him when she was almost two years old. Before that, the dog had lived in a city and was unfamiliar with the sounds of explosions, mortar fire and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The soldier told RIA Novosti that a drone may become audible to a person only when it is roughly 200 to 300 meters away, while Basta can detect it from a distance of around half a kilometer to one kilometer. That gives the troops additional time to react and take cover.

Over time, Basta learned to respond to approaching drones before the soldiers around her. Morgen said her behavior changes sharply when she picks up the characteristic sound: she jumps up, listens closely and starts barking.

The warning allows Russian servicemen to respond earlier to an approaching UAV.

Morgen also said Basta is rewarded with treats and toys for her help. He added that the dog does not always need anything special and can be perfectly content with an ordinary branch.