Let slip the online shiba inus of war

The dogs of war

Even the stationery cupboard, so well insulated from the outside world, now resounds to the yapping of shiba inus. Cartoon versions of these goofy-looking dogs, sporting tracksuits and fatigues in trademark Volodymyr Zelenskyy chic, are popping up across social media in response to Russian disinformation about the Ukraine invasion. No sooner do you post a pro-Vladimir Putin line, than tens of thousands of GIFs and JPEGs appear in reply, showing the dogs blowing up Russian fuel depots and firing anti-tank weapons.

Behind the dogs lurks NAFO, the North Atlantic Fella Organization. Former US Marine @IamtheWarax says…