Larry the Cat from No10 used as a ‘pawn’ in Russia’s propaganda conflict with Ukraine

Russian media sites are spreading fake news that Larry the Cat, who lives at Number 10, ‘snubbed’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to see Sir Keir Starmer

Larry the Cat is being used as a pawn in Russia’s propaganda war with Ukraine.

Pro-Kremlin sites are spreading fake news that the chief mouser ‘snubbed’ Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Number 10 this week. They’re claiming the much-loved moggy refused to enter Downing Street alongside the Ukrainian President and PM Sir Keir Starmer.

Larry, who had been sitting near the Number 10 entrance, jumped away from the door as Sir Keir and Zelensky approached. And hostile propaganda specialists are using this ‘evidence’ to suggest Larry is on the side of the Russians and even working as a spy for them.

Pro-Russian government news site Life claimed: “Zelenskyy, however, noted the cat’s unfriendly behaviour and was apparently embarrassed.”

The site also twisted claims that Larry photobombed the meeting into the cat refusing to go near the Ukrainian leader.

But posting on Larry’s X account, the cat called it “feline diplomacy” – indicating that he wanted to join in the talks.

The incident isn’t the first time Larry has caused a stir after last year having a run-in with former Scottish Secretary Ian Murray. Mr Murray recalled the time he visited Downing Street when the new PM picked his cabinet.

He told the CBI Scotland annual dinner in Glasgow: “Without putting too fine a point on it, Larry the cat is a little s***. So none of us got a picture with Larry the cat.‌ Larry the cat is the most miserable animal you’ll ever meet in your life.”

Mr Murray later lost his job as Scottish Secretary in a cabinet reshuffle in September.

Sir Keir has claimed that Larry is one of the UK’s most charming diplomats. He said the animal gets “more attention than all the rest of us put together”. The PM said: “I’ve had no end of international leaders where we do the handshake on the door, but the moment Larry makes an appearance their total focus goes somewhere else.”

Larry moved into Downing Street during Lord Cameron’s time in office back in 2011. The former Tory PM adopted him in an effort to deal with Number 10’s rat problem.

The cat has since outlived the tenures of a number of politicians to meet him, including five prime ministers and former US President Barack Obama.

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