Kathrine Frich
Animals have long found themselves drawn into political symbolism.
In moments of heightened tension, even harmless gestures can be reframed to suit competing narratives.
The UK’s most famous cat has now become part of that pattern.
Kremlin-linked outlets target Downing Street’s cat
Pro-Kremlin media have circulated false claims suggesting Larry the Cat, the long-serving Downing Street resident, deliberately avoided Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his recent visit.
According to these reports, Larry’s movements outside Number 10 were interpreted as a “snub” as Zelensky and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer approached the door.
Footage showed Larry stepping away from the entrance moments before the leaders walked inside. Russian outlets quickly framed this as a symbolic rejection.
Some even implied the cat displayed pro-Russian instincts or acted as a spy, despite the lack of any basis for such claims.
One such outlet, Life, reported: “Zelenskyy, however, noted the cat’s unfriendly behaviour and was apparently embarrassed.”
Online humour counters disinformation
Larry’s own account on X dismissed the claims by describing the moment as “feline diplomacy,” joking that he intended to join the meeting rather than disrupt it.
This is not the first time Larry has sparked public commentary. Former Scottish Secretary Ian Murray once described a difficult encounter at a Downing Street event.
“Without putting too fine a point on it, Larry the cat is a little s***,” he told an audience.
He added: “Larry the cat is the most miserable animal you’ll ever meet in your life.”
Murray later left his cabinet post following a reshuffle.
A well-known presence at Number 10
Sir Keir Starmer has frequently spoken about the strong interest visitors show in the cat.
He said Larry receives “more attention than all the rest of us put together,” noting that foreign leaders often shift their focus the moment the cat appears.
Larry first arrived at Number 10 in 2011, adopted during David Cameron’s premiership to help handle a rodent problem.
Since then, he has witnessed a succession of governments and met numerous world leaders.
Sources: Daily Mirror, Life (Russia), Daily star.
